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KABUL – The Taliban have announced the suspension of consular services at two Afghan embassies, located in London and Vienna. This decision comes as a result of their concerns regarding the lack of transparency and cooperation with the authorities in Kabul. A spokesperson for the Afghan foreign ministry made this announcement on a Sunday.
It’s important to note that most of Afghanistan’s embassies and consulates are currently staffed by individuals from the former Western-backed administration. However, approximately a dozen of these diplomatic missions are under the full control of the Taliban administration.
While some countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and China, maintain active diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, the international community remains cautious about officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of the country.
The suspension of consular services at the embassies in London and Vienna will take effect immediately and will continue until further notice. This suspension will impact various services, including the issuance and extension of passports and visas.
When questioned about the possibility of similar actions against other embassies, foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed that such assessments were part of the ministry’s routine procedures.
This development follows recent statements from the Afghan embassies in Spain and the Netherlands, emphasizing their coordination and interaction with Taliban authorities in Kabul. Deputy spokesperson Zia Ahmad Takal highlighted that this cooperation was seen as a positive step for Afghans, as it would ensure that all consular services and embassy matters have a direct connection with Kabul. Furthermore, Takal emphasized that the salaries and expenses of employees, officials, and diplomats would be covered by the Afghan government.
In contrast, India reported that the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi continues to operate, despite initial concerns about its closure due to a lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a recognized government in Kabul.
The Taliban have been actively engaging with diplomatic missions in various countries, with efforts underway to assume control of additional missions abroad, as confirmed by their chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, in remarks made earlier this year in March.
