The visit of officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban government to Moldova has triggered a political controversy in the small Eastern European country, with authorities distancing themselves from the delegation and launching an investigation into how its members were granted visas.
Three officials from the Taliban Ministry of Agriculture arrived in Chisinau on August 3 for a multi-day visit after receiving Moldovan visas.
The Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of international forces, has sought to expand diplomatic and economic contacts with foreign governments as part of an effort to gain international legitimacy.
The Taliban administration remains internationally unrecognized by most countries and has faced widespread criticism over its restrictions on fundamental rights, particularly those of women. Its senior officials are also subject to international sanctions.
Taliban presented visit as an official European engagement
On August 3, Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Ministry of Agriculture published a photograph on X showing the three officials, dressed in traditional clothing, on an airport runway beside a Turkish Airlines aircraft.
The ministry described the trip as an “official” visit, while Taliban-linked media outlets provided extensive coverage of the delegation’s activities.
Kabul Tribune reported that Deputy Agriculture Minister Sadr Azam Osmani had traveled to Moldova to discuss expanding practical and technical cooperation between the two countries.
Ariana News quoted a ministry spokesman as saying the delegation was expected to discuss agricultural development, scientific research, plant protection, pest management, modern agricultural technologies and joint research projects.
Afghanistan’s state broadcaster also led its main evening news bulletin on August 3 with coverage of the delegation’s arrival in Moldova.
Moldovan government distances itself from delegation
At the center of the controversy is Vasile Sarban, a Moldovan official who invited the Taliban representatives. Sarban said the invitation followed requests from Moldovan private companies seeking to export products to Afghanistan.
“I believe it is right for Moldova’s authorities to support the country’s economic operators,” Sarban said, arguing that the government should help domestic producers find new markets.
His explanation failed to calm the growing criticism.
Following the delegation’s arrival in Chisinau, Moldova’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that visas had been granted but immediately sought to distance the government from the way the Taliban had portrayed the visit.
The ministry stressed that the three visitors were not subject to international sanctions, while reiterating that Moldova “does not recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.”
“There will be no bilateral meetings or official contacts with representatives of the delegation,” the ministry said.
The Moldovan government also announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the visas.
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan described the episode as “shameful and unacceptable,” calling it an administrative failure.
“The procedure was formally followed, but without the necessary political and diplomatic assessment,” Tofan said. “A clearly sensitive case was treated as a routine administrative file. The result was the wrong decision.”
Taliban seeking international partners
The controversy comes as the Taliban continues efforts to establish diplomatic, economic and political relationships abroad.
Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in 2025, four years after the group returned to power following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan.
Other countries, including China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, maintain diplomatic, trade and economic relations with the Taliban without formally recognizing its government.
Experts say the Taliban’s expanding international outreach is aimed not only at securing economic partnerships but also at gaining greater international legitimacy and shaping perceptions of the group both abroad and inside Afghanistan.
In June, Taliban officials also held talks in Brussels for the first time over the repatriation of Afghans, prompting criticism from human rights organizations that accused the European Union of giving legitimacy to a regime widely condemned for its severe restrictions on fundamental rights, particularly those of women.
