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KABUL – The foreign ministry of Germany has condemned the unexpected presence of Taliban representative Dr. Abdul Bari Omar in Cologne. In a statement, the ministry clarified that no visa had been issued based on available data from their visa offices. It further indicated that additional measures were being considered in close collaboration with internal authorities and partners.
Dr. Abdul Bari Omar, a member of the Taliban cabinet, had been invited by the Afghan diaspora in Cologne to participate in a gathering and deliver a speech. The invitation had been released a few days prior to the event. However, the Anti-Taliban resistance expressed concern over the speech of a Taliban official taking place on German soil.
The German Foreign Office took to Twitter, expressing their strong condemnation: “We strongly condemn the appearance of #Taliban representative Abdul Bari Omar in Koln. No visa was issued by one of our visa offices based on personal data we have. We are examining further measures in close coop with the internal authorities and partners.” The office emphasized that the trip had not been announced to them.
The official statement from the German Foreign Office highlighted their non-recognition of the Taliban, stating, “As long as the Taliban in Afghanistan blatantly trample on human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, there will be no normalization with the Taliban regime.”
This incident unfolded amidst the circulation of a photo on social media showing Germany’s Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport with Abdul Bari Omar, triggering strong reactions from Afghans worldwide. The situation raises concerns about the diplomatic implications of such interactions on the international stage.
