Taliban Hopes for Diplomatic Ties with Germany

A Taliban spokesman said, Sunday, Germans are welcome in Afghanistan, stressing that they hope Berlin would open diplomatic ties.

In an interview published Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that the militant group would like diplomatic relations and financial support from Germany.

"We want strong and official diplomatic relations with Germany," Mujahid told the paper.

In addition to diplomatic relations, the Taliban also seek financial support, humanitarian aid and cooperation in health, agriculture and education from Germany.

Mujahid affirmed that Germans were always welcome in Afghanistan, adding that Germans had once been viewed as a positive influence in Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately, they then joined the Americans. But that is forgiven now," the spokesperson said.

On his part, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has been keen to stress that diplomatic representation does not equal recognition of the Taliban government.

"If it were politically possible and if the security situation permits, then Germany should also have its own embassy in Kabul again," Mass said last week.