Taliban delegation visit sparks political storm in Moldova

The Moldovan government has launched an internal investigation after the arrival of a delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled Ministry of Agriculture triggered political controversy and criticism from civil society, despite authorities insisting the visit was linked solely to private-sector agricultural contacts.

The delegation, led by Afghan Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mawlawi Sadr Azam Osmani, arrived in Moldova after being issued entry visas by the country’s authorities. Afghan state media announced the visit, while Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that the visas had been granted.

The ministry stressed that the visit was initiated following discussions between Moldovan agricultural producers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry over possible humanitarian exports to Afghanistan, a country facing severe food insecurity.

“The visit was initiated in the context of discussions between agricultural producers from the Republic of Moldova and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry regarding the possibility of humanitarian exports to Afghanistan,” the ministry said in a statement, quoted by Moldovan media.

According to the foreign ministry, none of the members of the delegation are subject to international sanctions.

Chisinau also underlined that Moldova “strictly complies with all international sanctions regimes” and does not recognise the Taliban administration as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. “No bilateral meetings or any other official contacts will be held with the representatives of the delegation,” the ministry said.

At the same time, it announced an internal inquiry into how the invitation and visas were issued and said existing procedures would be reviewed.

Agriculture ministry defends decision

The visit was facilitated after requests from Moldovan agricultural companies seeking to enter the Afghan market.

Vasile Șarban, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, said he signed a request asking the foreign ministry to facilitate visas for three Afghan representatives.

According to Șarban, three Moldovan producers of phytosanitary products are attempting to expand exports beyond Central Asia and enter Afghanistan.

He said Afghan regulations require officials to inspect production facilities before authorising imports from countries that have not previously exported agricultural products to Afghanistan.

“They needed them to come and meet with some economic agents from the Republic of Moldova,” Șarban told Moldovan outlet ZdG.

The official rejected criticism that the authorities had extended political recognition to the Taliban administration.

“I believe it is right for the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to take care of the economic agents of the Republic of Moldova,” he said, arguing that the government should assist exporters seeking access to new markets.

Șarban also explained that the visa process involved several stages.

Agricultural producers first approached the Ministry of Agriculture requesting assistance. The ministry then formally asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate entry visas, after which the foreign ministry examined the request.

Public criticism

The visit nevertheless provoked an immediate backlash in Moldova after Afghan media reported that Taliban officials had travelled to Chisinau.

Political commentators and civil society representatives questioned how representatives of a government that Moldova does not recognise had been allowed to enter the country.

Valeriu Pașa, president of the WatchDog Community think tank, described the situation as unacceptable. “It’s hard to comment here. The news is true, we are waiting for resignations,” he wrote on social media.

The foreign ministry has sought to contain the controversy by emphasising that the Afghan delegation would not participate in any official meetings with Moldovan authorities.

According to Afghan media, the delegation is expected to remain in Moldova until 7 August.

While the Taliban administration itself is not recognised by Moldova or the European Union, there is no publicly available information indicating that Deputy Minister Sadr Azam Osmani is personally listed under international sanctions.

Moldova is a candidate to join the EU.

Humanitarian crisis

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces.

Since then, Afghanistan has faced one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

According to the European Council, decades of conflict, combined with the Taliban takeover, have deepened economic collapse and food insecurity.

More than 22.9 million Afghans required humanitarian assistance in 2025.

International organisations, including Amnesty International, have documented sweeping restrictions imposed on women and girls, including bans on education beyond the age of 12, severe limits on employment, restrictions on movement and political participation, and arbitrary arrests of critics, journalists and human rights defenders.

In May this year, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Taliban’s legal framework, calling for stronger sanctions against Taliban leaders responsible for the persecution of women and girls, implementation of International Criminal Court arrest warrants, and increased humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

Wider European debate

The controversy in Moldova comes only weeks after the European Union faced criticism for hosting Taliban representatives in Brussels for technical discussions on migration and the return of Afghan nationals without legal residence in the EU.

EU officials insisted the talks did not constitute diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government and were limited to practical migration issues.

However, the meeting prompted criticism from human rights organisations and dozens of MEPs, who warned that engaging with Taliban officials risked legitimising a regime accused of systematic human rights abuses, particularly against women and girls.