The Taliban extended an invitation to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Afghanistan, media outlets reported on Monday.
"We talked with German representatives and their special envoy visited our political office in Doha. I am sure that they conveyed our message to Mrs. Merkel," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told German tabloid Bild in an interview.
"You should visit us, and Angela Merkel will be welcomed very warmly. We will be very happy to see you."
"We want to create a completely safe environment here, in Afghanistan, one that will be accepted by all countries and which the heads of states and governments believe in," Mujahid affirmed.
The spokesman added that Taliban aim to establish official relations with Berlin, stressing that they would like for Germany to support and help in the humanitarian sphere as much as possible.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will be the desired government for all Afghans, and so, we want the German government to have the best diplomatic relations with our new government," he noted. "We also need help in healthcare, education and infrastructure. We believe that the German government can aid us."
On her part, Merkel asserted that it was important that Germany engaged in talks with Taliban, adding that "they are now those who are to be addressed."
The chancellor added that Germany wanted international humanitarian organizations to be able to work on improvement of the situation in the country.
On August 31, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Germany was ready to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul which were suspended after the Taliban took control of the capital on August 15.
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