Oslo orders Afghanistan’s Embassy in Norway to close

Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway will close on Thursday, September 12, at the Norwegian government’s request.

This decision was made just a day after the British government told the Afghan embassy in London to shut down by September 27. Diplomats from the former government of Afghanistan ran both embassies.

The Oslo embassy has announced that all its property will be handed over to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the reason for Norway’s request to close the embassy has not been explained.

Despite the fall of the previous Afghanistan government, embassy staff worldwide continued their work. While no country has officially recognized the current Taliban government, some in the Middle East and Asia have accepted its diplomatic representation. In contrast, Western embassies appointed by the former government have largely remained operational.

In late July, the Taliban officials declared it would no longer recognize the diplomatic missions established by the former government. This includes a refusal to honor passports, visas, and other documents issued by these former diplomats.

The closure of Afghanistan embassies in Norway and the UK reflects ongoing tensions and shifts in international diplomatic recognition. As countries navigate their relations with Afghanistan, these closures highlight the complexities of diplomatic transitions and international diplomacy.

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