Afghanistan*

Visas

Montenegrin citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Afghanistan. Visas may be obtained from the Embassy of Afghanistan in Sofia, the Republic of Bulgaria.

Contact: the Embassy of Afghanistan in Sofia, the Republic of Bulgaria

Address:
57 Simeonovsko Shosse, Residence 3
1700 Sofia
Bulgaria
Phones: +359 (2) 962 51 93
Fax: + 359 962 74 86
Email: embassy_in_sofia@yahoo.com

NOTE: Upon entering Afghanistan, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months and is required to contain at least two blank pages.

Diplomatic relations

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officially recognized Montenegro on August 10th 2006. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on September 21st 2010.

Political contacts

The former President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai on April 1st 2011, during the visit to the contingent of the Army of Montenegro in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Delegations of the Army of Montenegro visited Afghanistan on a couple of occasions (April 2013, May and December 2010), when they visited the contingent of the Montenegrin army.

Overview of other information

Montenegro has participated in NATO missions in Afghanistan since 2010, first ISAF and then RSM. Montenegro ended its engagement in this mission with the return of the XII contingent of 32 members of the Montenegrin Army on September 16th 2020. Montenegro financially supported the sustainability of the Afghan Security Forces (ANDSF) with 400 thousand dollars per year (in the period 2015-2017, as well as in the period 2017-2020).

After the Taliban took control of the country, Montenegro backed an initiative by the international community to make it possible for anyone wishing to leave Afghanistan to do so, including the need for roads, airports and border crossings to remain open. Montenegro has joined other allies in assessing that the people of Afghanistan deserve to live in a safe and secure environment with guaranteed fundamental rights.

In accordance with the Decision of the Government of Montenegro of September 23rd 2021, an Interdepartmental Working Group was established to consider the possibility of responding to the humanitarian crisis and possible capacities to receive a limited number of refugees, in accordance with the practice of other NATO members engaged in Afghanistan, whose work is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As part of the UN High-Level Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan held on September 13th 2021, Montenegro pledged to make a financial contribution to alleviating the humanitarian crisis. In this regard, the Government of Montenegro sent humanitarian aid in the amount of 100 thousand dollars.

Development cooperation

During 2013, two donations were handed out to the local population in the total value of about six thousand euros. The mentioned donations were realized through the rehabilitation of the water tower and equipping the primary school with inventory in the village located in the immediate vicinity of the “Marmal” base.

In December 2012, the Montenegrin delegation donated ten thousand dollars to the local school “Tapa Fahrad” in Pol-e Komri for the purpose of expanding classroom capacities.

In March 2011, former President Filip Vujanovic donated one hundred sets of school supplies to Gawar Chad Beigum.

In December 2010, the Government of Montenegro handed over a food donation for 100 families to the Baglan Province Department in charge of assistance and care for foster families.

In May 2010, former Montenegrin Minister of Defense Boro Vucinic donated 200 food parcels to the flood-hit province of Baglan.

In August 2007, the Government of Montenegro sent a donation of arms and ammunition to the Government of Afghanistan to help stabilize Afghanistan and contribute to global security.

Economic cooperation

The total trade between Montenegro and Afghanistan in the period from January to November 2021 amounted to € 24,668 (of which imports amounted to € 3,168 and exports to € 21,500).