Several European countries are considering the possibility of reopening embassies in Afghanistan and thereby recognizing the Taliban movement, Bloomberg reports, citing its sources.

Officials in Brussels have begun to recognize the need to be physically present in Afghanistan to implement development projects and protect women's rights, as well as establish a strategic presence, according to a senior European diplomat.

Among the countries that have expressed interest in opening an embassy, Bloomberg names Italy. According to the agency, Rome already conducted a “reconnaissance mission” several weeks ago. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that the Italian ambassador recently visited Kabul. “We are working on this,” the minister told the agency. – There are issues with human rights. Solving the problem is very difficult and will take time.”

Spain also wants to return to Afghanistan. Spanish ambassador in Kabul is now working from Qatar “for security reasons,” the publication says. “As soon as minimum security conditions are in place, we will send our ambassador back,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez told Bloomberg.

 

However, French, German and British officials told Bloomberg that they do not plan to resume the work of their missions in Kabul in the near future. A French official, speaking to Bloomberg, admitted that the current situation of zero presence “cannot last indefinitely.” The British Foreign Office also said it would “consider establishing a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan as soon as security and political conditions permit.”

The United States, in turn, does not intend to recognize the Taliban and reopen the embassy in Kabul, a representative of the presidential administration of the United States told the agency.

Bloomberg recalls that European countries closed their embassies after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban coming to power in 2021. Today, only the EU representative office operates in the country.