Afghanistan–France relations

Afghanistan–France relations are the diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and France. Both nations are members of the United Nations.

Afghanistan-France relations
Map indicating locations of Afghanistan and France

Afghanistan
France
Diplomatic mission
Afghan Embassy, ParisFrench Embassy, Kabul (closed)

History
Embassy of Afghanistan in Paris

Afghanistan and France established diplomatic relations in 1922. In 1923, France opened a diplomatic legation in Kabul as well as an office for the French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan (DAFA).[1][2] Initially, relations between both nations were underdeveloped. In 1928, Afghan King Amanullah Khan paid an official visit to France.

In January 1943, during World War II, France closed its diplomatic legation in Kabul. As a result, Afghanistan closed its diplomatic legation in Paris in 1944 when Vichy France declined Afghanistan's diplomatic legation dual accreditation to France and Switzerland. Soon after the war, both nations re-opened their legations and upgraded them to embassies in 1949.[3]

In 1965, Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah paid an official visit to France and met with President Charles de Gaulle. In 1968, French Prime Minister Georges Pompidou paid an official visit to Afghanistan.

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan starting the Soviet–Afghan War. For the next 25 years, relations between both nations became nearly nonexistent. After the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, the French government announced in January 1990 that it would reopen its embassy in Kabul.[4] Years later the Civil War and Taliban stopped relations once again.[3]

Since the NATO led War in Afghanistan, France has participated in multiple military excursions and battles throughout the country. In 2002, France re-established diplomatic relations with the Afghan government under President Hamid Karzai. Under the International Security Assistance Force, France has played a leading role of providing security within the North-East part of Afghanistan, especially in the Kapisa Province.[2]

In August 2021, France closed its embassy in Kabul due to the return of the Taliban in power.[5] Afghanistan has an embassy in Paris.[6]

High-level visits
King Amanullah Khan in Paris, 1928.

Presidential visits from Afghanistan to France[7][8][9]

Presidential visits from France to Afghanistan[2][10][11]

Bilateral relations

Throughout the years, both nations have signed numerous bilateral agreements such as an Agreement of Cooperation between the University of Paris and Kabul University (1960); Agreement on Health Cooperation (1963); Cultural and Technical Cooperation (1966); Agreement on Agriculture Cooperation (1969) and a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (2012).[1][12]

Trade

In 2015, trade between Afghanistan and France totaled €27.8 million Euros.[12] France's three main exports to Afghanistan are agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic products.

See also

References
  1. Relations Politiques (in French)
  2. "Les relations entre la France et l'Afghanistan (in French)". Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  3. Histoire de l'ambassde
  4. Publications, Europa (2 September 2003). A Political Chronology of Central, South and East Asia. ISBN 9781135356804.
  5. «C’était assez surréaliste» : le récit de l’évacuation en pleine nuit de l’ambassade de France en Afghanistan (in French)
  6. Embassy of Afghanistan in Paris
  7. Mohammed Zahir Shah: The last King of Afghanistan[Usurped!]
  8. King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan at Paris town hall on June 3, 1965
  9. "Nicolas Sarkozy and Hamid Karzai to push for early Afghanistan handover". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03.
  10. "French president in Afghanistan to meet with troops". CNN. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23.
  11. French leader Francois Hollande in Afghanistan: France's combat troops to pull out by year end
  12. France and Afghanistan
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