Taliban invite German Chancellor in Afghanistan: Merkel has a special place

In an interview published in the German newspaper Bild, Taliban spokesman Zubalullah Mujahid said the group “would indeed welcome” Merkel in Afghanistan, writes Anadolu.

We want to have a powerful and fully secure environment here in Afghanistan, which will be accepted by all the countries in the world and in which world leaders will trust. They must come and visit our country, and here certainly there is a special place for Angela Merkel”, he said.

The Taliban official stressed that powerful relations with Germany are in Afghanistan's interest.

We, first of all, want a good relationship with Germany. The Islamic Empire (the Taliban government) will be the Afghan government's desired and we want the German government to have better possible diplomatic relations with the new government”, Mujahed said.

Second of all, we want Germany to support us and help us in the humanitarian sectors that can be supported by the German government. Furthermore, we need help in the health sector, we need help in the education sector, and we need help in the infrastructure sector. We believe that the German government can really help us”, he added.

While Berlin has not yet recognised the new Afghan government, it has expressed readiness to offer humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.

Germany has closed its embassy in Kabul since taking control of the Taliban on 15 August and moved Ambassador Marcus Potzel to Qatar's capital, Doha.

However, the German government has maintained diplomatic contact with the Taliban.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently said Germany could reopen its mission to Kabul “if it was politically possible and if it allows security situation”.

Merkel's government has focused mainly on the evacuation of Afghans meeting the conditions, where thousands of locals working for German ministries and political institutions hope for a breakthrough.