A senior Norwegian diplomat has reportedly discussed expanding the Taliban’s diplomatic engagement with European nations, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.
Per Albert Ilsaas, the Chargé d'Affaires at the Norwegian embassy for Afghanistan, met with Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Kabir and offered guidance on deepening the group's ties with Europe, the ministry said.
The statement claimed that Ilsaas considered certain Taliban actions “noteworthy” and described the direct relationship between Norway and the Taliban as “important.” He also reportedly underscored the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue.
Ilsaas “referred to the opening of the Afghan embassy in Norway, emphasised the need to address existing issues in order to strengthen and build trust in diplomatic relations between Kabul and European countries,” the ministry said.
The Norwegian envoy also criticised the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and pledged that Norway would continue humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through international organisations.
In the meeting, Kabir also condemned Pakistan’s deportation of Afghan nationals, calling it “a violation of all principles,” and urged the international community to support a long-term resolution to Afghanistan’s ongoing migration crisis.
Norway has maintained limited contact with the Taliban since the group took power in August 2021. Although the Norwegian government has criticised the Taliban’s restrictions on women, it has continued to engage diplomatically and has accepted a Taliban-appointed diplomat.
Recently, Oslo accepted Najibullah Sherkhan, a Taliban envoy, as First Secretary of the Afghan Embassy and issued him a one-year diplomatic residence permit. Consular services for Afghan citizens in Norway officially resumed on 24 March, according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shortly after assuming his post, Sherkhan replaced the embassy’s signage with one reflecting the Taliban’s flag colours and removed the phrase “Islamic Republic.”
The Afghan embassy in Norway had been closed since September 2024. Prior to its closure, it was operated by diplomats from the former Afghan government. Youssof Ghafoorzai, the last ambassador under the previous administration, announced the conclusion of his four-and-a-half-year mission that same month.
