Political relations

The foundations of French-Afghan cooperation appeared in the 1920s, especially in the areas of education (creation of the French secondary school for boys in 1923, called Esteqlal, in 1929) and archaeology (creation of the French archaeological mission in Afghanistan - DAFA - in 1922). The French secondary school for girls, Malalai, was created in 1942. The University of Lyon 1 and the University of Paris Law School began their cooperation with the University of Kabul in the 1960s. Cooperation agreements were signed in the areas of health (1963), cultural and technical cooperation (1966) and agriculture (1969). A French cultural centre was founded in Kabul in 1970.

After the Soviet invasion in 1979, France focussed its efforts on humanitarian initiatives. The actions of French NGOs, present in Afghanistan even during the darkest hours, contributed to the accumulated sympathy France continues to enjoy in this country today. The end of the Taliban regime made it possible for the French Embassy in Kabul to reopen in February 2002. Official bilateral visits have resumed at a steady pace, illustrating the special nature of the relations between France and Afghanistan.

^{Updated on 04.11.11}