KABUL, Afghanistan — Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, in a meeting with Per Albert Ilsaas, Norway’s Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, discussed a range of bilateral issues, the Taliban-run Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
During the meeting, Stanikzai emphasized the importance of fostering political relations between Afghanistan and Norway. “In addition to focusing on bilateral political, humanitarian, and other pertinent issues, the two sides expressed hope that continued engagement would lead to constructive solutions,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
Norway does not have an embassy in Kabul. Its diplomatic mission for Afghanistan operates out of Doha, Qatar. Like other nations, Norway has not officially recognized the Taliban government since their return to power in August 2021.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s embassy in Oslo announced it will close its operations on September 12 at the request of the Norwegian government. According to a statement from the embassy, obtained by Amu TV, all movable and immovable assets will be handed over to Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The closure comes as Norway continues to express concerns over the Taliban’s escalating restrictions on human rights, particularly those targeting women and girls. In early December, Norway announced it would downgrade its diplomatic relationship with the Taliban.
“We have made it clear to the Taliban that approving a new Afghan ambassador to Oslo is out of the question,” said Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, in a statement. “We need contact, and Norway’s engagement with Afghanistan will continue, but we are downgrading the diplomatic relationship.”