Official representatives of the European Union, the United States and the Taliban (banned in Russia) will hold talks in Doha, Qatar's capital, EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said.
She said the meeting would allow the American and European sides to resolve a number of issues with the Taliban, including the free exit of everyone from the country, access to humanitarian aid, respect for women's rights and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorist groups.
She stressed at the same time that "this will be an informal exchange of views at the technical level, it does not mean recognition of the "interim government" of Afghanistan.
On the eve of the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrel said that the bloc seeks to increase its direct assistance to the Afghan people in an attempt to prevent a "collapse". He said that he held talks via video link with several European ministers in charge of development issues and discussed with them ways to help the Afghans.
"The ministers discussed concrete ways to increase support from the European Union to the Afghan people, in particular, the provision of basic services and strengthening the resilience of Afghan society," Borel was quoted by Interfax as saying at a meeting with journalists.
