Sources cite security concerns over Turkey’s decision to lift diplomatic visa exemption for Afghanistan

Ankara has lifted visa exemptions for holders of Afghan diplomatic passports because Taliban members frequently and unnecessarily travel to the country under the pretext of medical problems, sources familiar with the matter said.

This decision marks a significant change in Turkey’s diplomatic relations with Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

For security and political reasons, the Turkish government has suspended the 2008 agreement that allowed reciprocal visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders. The move, authorized by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reflects Turkey’s growing unease over Taliban activities and the far-reaching implications for regional security.

Former Afghan diplomats see the suspension as a serious setback in Afghanistan’s diplomatic relations with Turkey. Turkish media reported on the decree, which will come into force on June 1 and underscores Turkey’s tougher stance toward Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

According to sources, the Turkish government was concerned about the influx of Taliban members travelling to Turkey for alleged medical reasons, raising security concerns. Ahmad Javid Ziarat Jahai, a former Afghan diplomat, commented on Turkey’s dual policy towards Afghanistan and said the decision was part of a broader strategy to exert more control over the situation in Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman said they would address the issue through negotiations with the Turkish government. However, analysts believe that the perception of the Taliban in Turkey has changed significantly. Sayed Jamal Khurshid, another former diplomat, noted that the Taliban’s diplomatic practices do not comply with international norms and this contributed to Turkey’s decision.

Turkey, which had built relatively good relations with the Taliban, including accepting Taliban diplomats for the Afghan consulate in Ankara and handing over the administration of the Afghan consulate in Istanbul to them, appears to be reconsidering its stance. An informed source revealed that Turkey had initially asked to keep a diplomat from the previous Afghan government in the consulate in Ankara, a request that the Taliban rejected.

In addition, Turkish officials have repeatedly called on the Taliban to form an inclusive government and reopen educational institutions for girls and women. However, these demands have not been met. The unilateral termination of the visa exemption agreement indicates a cooling of relations between Turkey and the Taliban and shows that Turkey is frustrated with the current diplomatic and political dynamics in Afghanistan.