After the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, the relations between the EU and other countries with this republic are gradually beginning to develop. The European Union is already on the verge of resuming diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, which could lead to the recognition of the Taliban's rule in the country three years after they retook Kabul.

   After the evacuation of Kabul by US and allied forces in 2021, no European country had a diplomatic representation in Afghanistan. The European Union has a delegation in the country; however, according to an official statement, its presence does not lend any legitimacy to the Taliban's rule. The only country that has publicly acknowledged the possibility of resuming diplomacy is Spain. Its Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, stated in an interview that "as soon as minimum security conditions are established, we will send our ambassador back." Albares added that they were already prepared, but as a result of an ISIS terrorist attack in the country, three Spanish citizens were killed, and the project was halted.

   Italy is also moving towards normalizing diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, confirmed that his country conducted an intelligence mission in Afghanistan with its ambassador and intelligence service.

   Not long ago, there were debates in Germany about how to repatriate Afghan asylum seekers who had committed crimes, as Germany currently has no diplomatic relations with this country. Despite the deadlock, the country is not currently considering the possibility of opening its embassy.

   While EU countries are only considering the possibility of resuming diplomatic relations, other large countries on the Eurasian continent are actively developing cooperation with Afghanistan. For example, Russia, while not excluding the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, regularly holds meetings with its representatives.

   One of the latest meetings between representatives of Russian business circles and leaders of relevant Afghan agencies took place during a working session in Kabul. At this event, led by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, promising projects in the field of mineral extraction, the organization of joint ventures in housing development, the participation of Russian companies in the construction of rail and dirt roads, the reconstruction and construction of hydraulic engineering facilities, as well as prospective projects in agriculture and banking were discussed.

   Abdul Ghani Baradar also emphasized the country's significant potential in the field of extraction and processing of minerals and expressed readiness to provide foreign investors with all necessary conditions for successful business operations in the country. In the context of escalating political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban's trade relations are strengthening not only with Russia but also with all Central Asian countries, which also view the Afghan market as a promising platform for exporting their goods.

   Today, the EU has the opportunity to take an active diplomatic and political position in developing relations with Afghanistan. The EU is currently regularly providing assistance to Afghanistan, focusing on the most vulnerable segments of the population, including women and girls, minorities, internally displaced persons, and refugees. However, it is essential to develop cooperation with this country not only in humanitarian terms but also in the economic sphere, which is vitally necessary in the current unstable situation in the global economy. Diplomatic relations are inseparable from economic relations; the development of diplomacy will also contribute to the development of the economy.