German-Afghan relations date back to the first contacts between the governments of the German Reich and the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1915. After the end of the Taliban rule in 2001, the German Ambassador was the first head of mission to present his letter of credence to the new Interim Administration. In 2001 and 2011, Germany hosted two conferences on the future of Afghanistan.

Following the end of NATO’s ISAF mission, Germany was from 2015 the second largest troop contributor to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission seeking to train, advise and support the Afghan defence and security forces. Following the joint decision of NATO partners to end the mission, the Federal Government also withdrew its soldiers from Afghanistan in summer 2021.

When the Taliban assumed power on 15 August 2021, the Federal Government suspended its comprehensive development cooperation and stabilisation support. However, it continues to be significantly engaged in the fields of humanitarian assistance and basic services for the people in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries.

Alongside humanitarian assistance, Germany’s efforts are currently focused on the promotion of human rights – especially those of women and children – as well as on strengthening civil society, regional cooperation and giving German nationals, local employees and people at particular risk who have received Federal Government approval for admission to Germany the opportunity to leave the country safely (in each case together with their immediate family). The necessary information on current developments in the federal admission programme can be found here.

The Federal Government does not recognise the de facto Taliban government as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The German Embassy in Kabul closed on 15 August 2021 and will remain closed until further notice. When the Federal Government and international partners have contacts with representatives of the de facto government authorities, the focus is on gaining access for humanitarian assistance, protecting human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, building inclusive governance and combating terrorism.