Germany has agreed to grant visas to two Taliban diplomats to serve in consular roles in Berlin and Bonn, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the arrangement.
The move, which has not been publicly confirmed by the German government, was described by sources as part of an agreement tied to the deportation of Afghan nationals. The two would reportedly operate in consular capacities, not in fully accredited diplomatic posts, which would fall short of formal recognition of the Taliban administration, sources said.
Germany has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. However, like several other countries in the region, it has maintained limited contact with the Taliban in the context of humanitarian and migration concerns.
The agreement follows the deportation of 81 Afghan nationals from Germany to Kabul on July 18, marking the second such group sent back since the fall of the U.S.-backed Afghan republic in August 2021. Taliban said in a statement on July 18 that the deportations were conducted in coordination with their administration.
The German Foreign Ministry has not issued a statement on the reported visa arrangement.
Earlier this month, Germany’s ambassador to the United Nations, Antje Leendertse, reiterated Berlin’s support for continued engagement with the Taliban as part of the UN-led Doha Process, while warning that systematic human rights violations — particularly those targeting women and girls — continue to isolate Afghanistan on the global stage.
“There is no alternative to engagement with the Taliban,” Ms. Leendertse told the UN General Assembly on July 8. “We will continue to actively contribute to the UN-led Doha process.”
She added that Germany remains open to “pragmatic forms of cooperation” with the Taliban on issues such as refugee returns and welcomed efforts by the UN Secretariat to develop a long-term political roadmap for Afghanistan.
This comes as the international community has repeatedly asked the Taliban to respect human rights, particularly the restoration of education and employment rights for Afghan women and girls.
