Merz: Diplomatic Recognition of Islamic Emirate Is Not Under Consideration

This statement comes amid questions raised within Germany regarding the nature of relations between Kabul and Berlin, following the deportation of 81 Afghan asylum seekers.

Merz said: “I reiterate: Diplomatic recognition of the Taliban is not on the agenda at all, and such a matter is not being considered. Therefore, the critical question is how we engage with them. Until further notice, this matter will remain limited to technical coordination.”

Although the German Chancellor confirmed that discussions with Afghanistan’s interim government have taken place, he clarified that such interactions are strictly technical.

Without providing details about the nature of these talks, he added that Qatar played a key role in facilitating them.

Friedrich Merz stated: “I cannot and will not speak about the details of these discussions because they were held confidentially. There had been prior technical contacts with Afghanistan. I want to clearly thank the Emir of Qatar and the Qatari government. Qatar played an important role in this process.”

Meanwhile, Germany’s Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, who had previously emphasized the need to engage with the interim Afghan government, now maintains that Germany must be able to carry out deportations to Afghanistan and other countries independently of strategic partners such as Qatar.

Dobrindt said: “Qatar supported us as a strategic partner in this effort. However, I state clearly that we must also be able to carry out such deportations in the future without strategic partners whether to Afghanistan or Syria.”

Yesterday, with Qatar’s mediation, Germany deported 81 Afghan nationals it classified as criminals, flying them from Leipzig Airport to Kabul.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the deportation took place following extensive discussions between the German government and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.