For the first time since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, Germany has granted entry to two envoys from the Islamist regime, the federal government confirmed on Monday.

The move, which does not signal formal diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government, is aimed at streamlining deportations of Afghan migrants with failed asylum claims and criminal convictions. Last Friday, Germany deported 81 such Afghans in what was the second deportation flight to Afghanistan since repatriation resumed last year.

Deportations to Afghanistan were previously suspended following the Taliban’s return to power and the subsequent closure of Germany’s embassy in Kabul.

While Germany like most of the international community, excluding Russia does not officially recognize the Taliban government due to its human rights violations, particularly its treatment of women, the government maintains limited “technical contacts” with the group to coordinate deportations. These arrangements are being facilitated by Qatar, officials said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated that allowing the consular staff to enter and work in Germany does not amount to diplomatic recognition of the Taliban.

According to the German Foreign Office, Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions in Germany remain under the leadership of personnel appointed prior to the 2021 Taliban takeover. However, the missions are reportedly understaffed.

“The German government has an interest in ensuring that Afghan nationals in Germany receive adequate consular support this includes, for example, the issuance of passports,” the Foreign Office stated.

The Taliban envoys, who arrived over the weekend, are expected to assume duties at the Afghan embassy in Berlin and the Afghan consulate in Bonn, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported.