Germany’s ambassador to Canada says “there is not even a sign of recognition” of the Taliban.
Germany’s ambassador to Canada, Matthias Lüttenberg, on Thursday firmly rejected any suggestion that Berlin is moving toward recognizing the Taliban, insisting that recent diplomatic activity and administrative decisions do not equate to political endorsement of the Taliban’s de facto rule in Afghanistan.
“For sure, we are not recognizing the Taliban regime,” said Lüttenberg, addressing a session in Ottawa. “Even if we sell a house to somebody, we don’t recognize them as a legitimate government. It’s like selling an apple — it doesn’t mean you recognize who the person is.”
Germany recently agreed to accept two Taliban diplomats to work in Afghanistan’s consulates in Berlin and Bonn. The move came after Germany deported 81 migrants to Afghanistan.
“We recognize the state of Afghanistan. We don’t recognize the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. And there is not even a sign of recognition,” he said. “Whatever this is that you heard, I’m looking into it. But rest assured, no recognition.”
Germany, like most Western nations, shuttered its Kabul embassy in August 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power. Since then, Berlin has maintained that any re-engagement with Afghanistan’s new rulers must be conditioned on respect for basic rights — especially for women and minorities — and the establishment of an inclusive government.
Lüttenberg also made clear that Berlin has no plans to reopen its embassy in Kabul, calling recent reports about the property’s status “coincidental.”
Taliban said the return of the migrants was coordinated with their administration, though German officials have not confirmed that assertion.
Germany’s acceptance of Taliban-nominated diplomats has drawn criticism from Afghan diaspora groups and human rights advocates, who argue that such decisions, even if technically non-political, risk normalizing a regime accused of systemic rights abuses.