Wednesday, the European Union criticized the interim government formed by the Taliban movement in Afghanistan, saying that it is neither "inclusive" nor "representative" of the ethnic and religious diversity in the country.

"After a preliminary analysis of the names announced, the government lineup does not appear to be inclusive and representative of the rich ethnic and religious diversity in Afghanistan that we had hoped to see and promised by the Taliban in recent weeks," an EU spokesman said in a statement.

Last week, at a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, the European Union stressed the need to establish an "inclusive and representative government" in Kabul.

The spokesman noted that this was "one of the five conditions set" for the establishment of relations between the European bloc and the new Afghan authority.

The hardline Islamic movement, known for its harsh and repressive rule during its first period of rule between 1996 and 2001, announced on Tuesday the formation of a non-"inclusive" government, contrary to its pledges.

The government, which will be headed by Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, a former aide to Mullah Omar, the founder of the movement who died in 2013, will consist exclusively of individuals affiliated with the Taliban.

Almost all of them are of Pashtun ethnicity.

Several new ministers, some of whom were already very influential under the former Taliban regime, are on the UN sanctions lists. Four of them are in the US Guantanamo Bay prison.

Prime Minister Muhammad Hassan Akhund is known to have approved the destruction of the giant Bamiyan Buddha (center) in 2001, according to US-based editor-in-chief Bill Roggio.

No women or members of the Hazara minority are on the government lineup.