Afghanistan–France relations

Afghanistan-France relations

Afghanistan
France

Afghanistan–France relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and France.

History

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 for Afghanistan.[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 during the Soviet–Afghan War. For the next 25 years, relations between both nations became nearly nonexistent due to the fact that when the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989, the Taliban soon came to power and governed the country until 2002 when NATO forces invaded the country after the September 11 attacks in New York City.[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]

State visits

King Amanullah Khan in Paris, 1928.

Presidential visits from Afghanistan to France[4][5][6]

Presidential visits from France to Afghanistan[2][7][8]

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][9]

Trade

Embassy of Afghanistan in Paris

In 2015, trade between Afghanistan and France totaled €27.8 million Euros.[9] France’s three main exports to Afghanistan are agrifood products, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic products.

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

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