France president Emmanuel Macron said "Europe alone cannot bear the consequences" of the oncoming migrant crisis sparked by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Thousands of Afghans are desperately trying to flee the country after the successful Taliban takeover of the capital Kabul, with many likely to head to Europe.
Mr Macron said he is pushing for a European plan to tackle migration flows.
“We must anticipate and protect ourselves against major irregular migratory flows that would endanger those who use them and feed trafficking of all kinds,” said Mr Macron.
"Europe alone cannot bear the consequences of the current situation."
Spanish citizens residing in Afghanistan and Afghans board a military plane as part of their evacuation, at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 18, 2021.
SPAIN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
The upcoming "initiative" will focus on "the fight against irregular flows, solidarity in the effort, the harmonization of protection criteria and the establishment of cooperation with transit and host countries such as Pakistan, Turkey or Iran".
He said he had spoken to German chancellor Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson, as well as speaking to his own ministers. Mr Macron said that while it was important to tackle illegal migrant, he promised that France would "continue to do its duty to protect those who are most at risk”.
His announcement comes amid mixed messages from other EU nations on their willingness to accept Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover.
Elsewhere in Europe, Angela Merkel described the latest developments "bitter, dramatic and awful".
People wait outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 17, 2021.
STRINGER
Ms Merkel told reporters on Monday night that the “breathtaking speed” with which the Taliban have taken over is especially bitter for the “millions of Afghans who supported a more liberal society and who counted on the support of the Western countries when it comes to democracy, education, women’s rights and who also had achieved important progress”.
Ms Merkel said the development was also bitter “for Germany and the other allied nations who fought against terrorism under the lead of the United States and Nato in Afghanistan for 20 years after the terror attacks of September 11”.
The chancellor added that especially in these difficult hours, “one should never forget the people who gave their lives in this conflict — including 59 Germans who died in Afghanistan and many more who were injured”.
She said a thorough analysis was needed of what went wrong and lessons had to be drawn for future military engagement. Ms Merkel also vowed to support neighbouring countries such as Pakistan when it comes to helping refugees fleeing the crisis in Afghanistan.