France “has no intention” of recognizing the Taliban authorities, maintains the Quai d’Orsay

France “has no intention” of recognizing the Taliban authorities although it is resuming a technical dialogue with a view to expelling Afghans in an irregular situation and deemed dangerous for national security, the spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

“France does not recognize the Taliban and it has no intention of doing so. This technical dialogue does not in any way mean recognition of the regime,” said Pascal Confavreux during a press briefing. He further assured that there was “no Taliban delegation today at the consulate” of Afghanistan in Paris, contrary to press reports to this effect.

“We have initiated a technical dialogue with Afghanistan”

At the beginning of October, AFP revealed that “technical” discussions with the Taliban were being initiated by Paris. A diplomatic source had stressed that these discussions “did not (question)” the French position on Afghanistan, which has no longer maintained diplomatic relations with the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021.

“We initiated a technical dialogue with Afghanistan, with the current regime, for a very particular reason. It is to be able to directly return Afghan nationals who are dangerous, who present a threat to public order in France and who are here illegally,” repeated Pascal Confavreux. The French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, himself confirmed on Monday that “technical discussions” were underway between Paris and the Taliban authorities during a hearing at the National Assembly.