The European Union says it is shocked by a decision of the Taliban to destroy all statues in Afghanistan.
"The EU strongly urges the Taliban leadership not to implement this deeply tragic decision which will deprive the people of Afghanistan of its rich cultural heritage," the EU said in a statement issued by Sweden, which currently holds the presidency.
On Monday, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar ordered the smashing of all statues including two famous standing Buddhas hewn from a solid cliff in Bamiyan province, west of Kabul.
The Taliban regards all human likenesses of divinity to be un-Islamic.
The EU, along with most other countries, has been critical of Taliban policies, including public executions and its tight restrictions on women.
The Taliban is recognised by only three states - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.