The Taliban have confirmed that a delegation of their diplomats travelled to Europe for talks on Afghan refugees, humanitarian aid and the future of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions, sources told Afghanistan International on Friday.
The delegation included Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry.
Radio Hurriyat, a Taliban-linked outlet, reported that the five-member team visited Austria, where they held discussions with the Interior and Foreign Ministries on Afghanistan’s diplomatic representation.
The outlet said the delegation also travelled to Switzerland and Germany in recent weeks, meeting officials to discuss similar issues. Taliban authorities have not commented publicly on the visits.
In late July, Balkhi confirmed that the Taliban had cooperated with the German government on deportations of Afghan refugees, a process he said was facilitated by Qatar. He added that further talks were planned to ensure “transparent and standard consular services” for Afghans living in Germany.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed to Afghanistan International in early August that Taliban diplomats had entered the country and would begin work after completing administrative procedures. The ministry said the move was intended to meet the consular needs of Afghans in Germany.
In late August, Swiss state television reported that four Taliban diplomats had travelled to Geneva to help identify Afghan nationals convicted of crimes.