2 December: Eleven European Union Foreign Minister have written a joint article in which they state that Turkey's accession process is of vital strategic and economic importance for both the EU and Turkey and that the 27-member bloc welcomes Turkey&#

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.