Taliban Declares Consular Services of 14 Afghan Political Missions in Europe As Invalid

The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 14 Afghan political and consular missions in European countries are acting "independently" without coordinating with the ministry.

The ministry announced that the consular services of these missions are "not acceptable" to the group.

The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it will no longer take responsibility for the actions of these Afghan missions in Europe.

The ministry noted that Afghan missions in London, Belgium, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia have refused to cooperate and coordinate with this ministry in Kabul.

The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that it repeatedly requested the Afghan political and consular missions in Europe to cooperate and engage with the ministry.

The ministry said that most of these missions' actions are conducted "independently and in clear violation of accepted principles" without coordination with the group.

According to the Taliban's statement, these services include the issuance of visa, documents, certificates, passports and renewal.

The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Afghan and foreign citizens to seek consular services from Afghan missions in other countries.

These restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan political missions in European countries come even though no country has recognised the group.

These measures may limit access to consular services such as passport and document issuance for Afghans living abroad.

So far, Afghan political missions in these countries have not responded to the Taliban's actions.

Previously, a few Afghan consular missions abroad had announced that they were engaging with the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide consular services to citizens.