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Afghanistan–Italy relations

Afghanistan-Italy relations

Afghanistan	Italy
Diplomatic mission
Afghan Embassy, Rome	Italian Embassy, Kabul (closed). Now in Qatar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Afghanistan–Italy relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Italy which were formed in 1919. On June 3, 1921 they signed the agreement for the exchange of permanent Diplomatic mission and the centenary, on 2021, was celebrated with letters exchanged between their Chairs. Both nations are members of the United Nations but the new Afghanistan government is not recognized by them.

Country comparison

Official name	Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (de iure) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (de facto)	Italian Republic
Flag
Coat of Arms
Anthem	Milli Surood	Il Canto degli Italiani
Capital city	Kabul	Rome
Largest city	Kabul	Rome
Government	Islamic Presidential Republic (de iure) Unitary provisional theocratic Islamic emirate  (de facto)	Unitary Parliamentary constitutional republic
Head of State	Hibatullah Akhundzada	Sergio Mattarella
Head of Government	Hasan Akhund	Mario Draghi
Official language	Pashto Dari	Italian
Area	652,864 km2 (252,073 sq mi)	301,340 km2 (116,350 sq mi)
Population	40,581,129	60,317,116
Population density	48.08/km2	201/km2
GDP (nominal)	$21.657 billion	$2.106 trillion
GDP (nominal) per capita	$493	$34,997
GDP (PPP)	$72.911 billion	$2.610 trillion
GDP (PPP) per capita	$2,024	$43,376
HDI	0.511	0.892
Currency	Afghani	Euro

History

Italy was among the first nations to recognise Afghanistan's sovereignty, along with Germany, Turkey, France, and Iran, following the 1919 recognition by the Soviet Union.

Italian-Afghan relations have generally been positive. When the Afghan king Amanullah Khan was deposed in 1929, he and his family including queen Soraya Tarzi settled in exile in Rome following an invitation by Queen Elena of Italy. Some of their children and descendants including Princess India of Afghanistan grew up in and continue to call Italy home.

Italy began to take on increased involvement (although on a relatively small scale) in 1935, as Afghanistan established closer relations with Germany, a key Italian ally. Relations were hit by the Italian war in Ethiopia, which Afghanistan viewed as a dangerous precedent for Soviet or British expansion in Afghanistan.

Amanullah's long desire to return to the throne in Afghanistan caused friction between Afghanistan and the United Kingdom, who viewed it as a threat to the balance of power in central Asia. The former Afghan sovereign continued getting state subsidies by the Italian king Victor Emmanuel III.

Afghanistan maintained these ties throughout much of World War II, though it came under strong pressure from Moscow and London to expel the German and Italian diplomatic corps.

The only church in Afghanistan, the Chapel in Kabul, was created by the Italian embassy and is maintained by an Italian. This privilege was recognized because Italy was one of the first states to recognize Afghanistan's sovereignty. From 2021 it has been closed as well as the Embassy.

King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, deposed in 1973, was also exiled to Italy, living in Rome until his return to Afghanistan 29 years later. He was flown to Kabul on April 18, 2002 in an Italian military plane.

An Italian Air Force member helping Afghan Air Force staff during the ISAF mission, 2011

Italian Army helicopter in Farah Base, Afghanistan during the Resolute Support Mission, 2019

Italy was part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that was active in Afghanistan after December 2001 to create a safe environment for the new government, following the United Nations Resolution 1386 of December 20, 2001. The Italian forces' Area of Responsibility was in the west of Afghanistan including Herat (Train Advise Assist Command – West).

On November 29, 2012 the Italian Parliament ratified an Agreement on partnership and long-term cooperation, previously signed in Rome on January 26, 2012. The agreement had to help Afghanistan achieving stability, as stated in the Bonn Agreement of December 5, 2011. It contained provisions on political cooperation, institutional, security, police, economic and cultural cooperation.

On January 1, 2015 ISAF became Resolute Support, a "no combat" operation aimed at training and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

The relationship between the two countries was affected by the Doha Agreement (2020) and the following withdrawal of US and allied troops from the country in June 2021. Italian troops remained in Afghanistan until June 30, 2021. As the Taliban re-gained control over Afghanistan, Italy withdrew its military contingent and moved its embassy to Qatar. From 2001 to 2021, 50.000 Italian soldiers were employed in Afghanistan. 53 died in service while 723 others sustained injuries.

On August 13, 2021, a Press Release from the Italian Foreign Ministry stated that, in the light of the Taliban advance in Afghanistan, the Italian Foreign Ministry was maintaining the closest contact with the US State Department. The day before the Press Release was published, Italy’s General Secretary, Ettore Sequi, spoke with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman. They agreed to further strengthen coordination between the embassies of all the allied countries in Kabul, as well as bilaterally, and discussed the initiatives in place and those to be undertaken, taking into consideration the worsening security situation on the ground.

The Italian Contingent

The Italian Contingent in Afghanistan currently includes a maximum 900 personnel, 148 land vehicles, and 8 aircraft. They are deployed in both Kabul and Herat within the Train Advise Assist Command – West (TAAC-W).

The Italian armed forces personnel in Kabul man staff positions at the Resolute Support Headquarters (RS HQ), the Special Operation Force Headquarters (RS SOF HQ), while Italfor Kabul, the Italian national command, supports such personnel. The Italian personnel in the top Headquarters positions within Resolute Support support multinational Command and Control, the local ministries, the Afghan Headquarters, and the training centres in Kabul.

• Stationed in Kabul, Lieutenant General Salvatore Camporeale is the Italian Senior National Representative (IT-SNR) and Deputy Commander of Resolute Support in Afghanistan.
• As far as Herat is concerned, Brigadier General Salvatore Annigliato has been the National Contingent Commander (NCC) and Commanding Officer, TAAC-W, since December 15, 2008.
• The Italian area of responsibility (AOR) of TAAC-W is a region of western Afghanistan as large as Northern Italy that includes four provinces: Herat, Badghis Province, Ghor Province, and Farah Province.
• Personnel from the ‘Friuli’ Airmobile Brigade represent the main component of the Italian forces, with a large contribution of personnel and vehicles from the Italian Navy, the Italian Air Force, and the Carabinieri.

Italian assets that are deployed within the Train Advise Assist Command – West: under command of Colonel Vito Nitti, Task Force Arena is the manoeuvre force and the Theatre Logistic Command based in Herat for operations within TAAC-W’s area of responsibility. The 66 ‘Trieste’ Airmobile Infantry Regiment represents the framework unit and includes:

• the IMC (Infrastructure Management Centre), which deals with infrastructural and technical design, execution of works, and the related administrative issues;
• the JMOU (Joint Multimodal Operation Unit). Supported by Air Force and Army personnel, this unit oversees the transit of personnel and equipment/materials to/from the Herat aerial port of embarkation/debarkation (APOE/APOD) in Herat. It includes a Passengers Unit, a Cargo Unit, and a joint Reception Staging Onward Movement (RSOM) cell;
• the Medical Unit with all medical assets within TAAC-W, notably: emergency room and infirmary (ROLE 2, Med Platoon), Sanitation Unit, Veterinary Unit, Pharmacy Unit, and MEDEVAC Cell.
• the Force Protection Task Group based on 1st Battalion, 66 ‘Trieste’ Airmobile Infantry Regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Giovanni Cruciani, with a number of subordinate units:

1. Rifle Company (Alpha Coy) for manoeuvre support for base defence (surveillance towers) and gate checks;
2. Rifle Company (Bravo Coy) for tasks related to internal patrolling, flight line security, security patrol (gda)/landing path security, Quick Reaction Force (QRF). This company includes a UAV squad and the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) element;
3. Engineer Company (Charlie Coy) based on the 3 Combat Engineer Regiment, 8 Combat Engineer Regiment and Carabinieri, with highly specialised engineer assets in the fight against explosive devices, unexploded ordnance, and mines. The company is supported by canine units from the Military Veterinary Centre of Grosseto, Italy.

• The Individual Force Protection System (IFPS) Platoon with authority over assets such as the Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (G-BOSS), Acoustic Systems (PILAR, HALO), Ground Surveillance and Passive Radars (LYRA), closed circuit video surveillance, Electro-optical systems (MINICOLIBRI), and the Base Defence Operations Centre (BDOC);
• Close Protection Team for the Commander, TAAC-W;
• Mobile Medical Team with medical personnel;
• Forward Support Base (FSB), i.e. the joint national component based on the 6 General Logistic Support Regiment that manages and oversees all national logistic-related issues. It has authority over:

1. C4 Company, a joint Signal unit enabling crucial communication capabilities for command and control over all Italian units. Personnel from the 11 Signals Regiment, 1 Signal Regiment, and 33 EW Regiment, plus special Air Force assets currently man the company;
2. Transportation Platoon with auhority over the Workshop, the Recovery and Transportation Team, the petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) unit, the spare parts unit, the weapons mainteinance lab, and the EOD team;
3. The NBC, Infrastructure Support, and Victualling Teams.

• The Administrative Services Centre under the authority of its Director, Colonel (AF Staff and Personnel Support Branch) Filippo La Corte, that provides all legal, specialised, and administrative support to the Italian contingent;
• The Joint Air Task Force (JATF) under command of Colonel Gustavo Cicconardi (Senior Airfield Authority). The JATF manages the APOD in Herat and all Air Force assets deployed thereof. Contractors are the main stakeholders in delivering Essential and Ancillary Airport services. The JATF also relies on the Base Operation Centre (BOC) and on some Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in airport services. In particular, the JAFT is responsible to deliver training and to integrate Afghan personnel into airport services. The JAFT also oversees the implementation of modernisation works conducted under the aegis of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation required to elevate the airport to ICAO standards.
• The Military Advisory Team\Regional Corps Battle School (MAT\RCBS). This school hosts military experts in special and technical fields from different branches to train, assist, and advice the cadres of the Afghan upper echelon unit located in the western part of the country.
• The Operations Coordination Centre-Regional Advisor Team (OCC-RAT), which is one of the elements supporting the ANSF within the wider Security Force Assistance (SFA) framework. Assets such as the Military / Police Advisory Teams (MAT/PAT) from TAAC-W are also deployed. They are all involved in the implementation of the transition plan, which aims to achieve Afghan National Security Forces’ self-sufficiency and autonomy.
• The Police Advisor Team (PAT), under command of Lieutenant Colonel Corrado Faggioni, is manned by Carabinieri personnel from the 7 ‘Trentino Alto Adige' Regiment and 13 'Friuli Venezia Giulia' Regiment. The PAT delivers training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) and the Afghan Local Police (ALP).
• The Fenice Task Group, based on the 5 'Rigel' Army Aviation Regiment, is the Army Aviation unit, that includes all assets deployed in the theatre, notably UH-90 utility helicopters to transport personnel and supplies; the ‘Mangoose’ AH-129 helicopters for reconnaissance and escort tasks; and the RQ-7C Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) for the day/night reconnaissance and air surveillance support. Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Cantieri is in command of the Task Group.

Embassies

Due to political changes and war in Afghanistan, the Italian embassy in Afghanistan was temporarily closed in 1979, 1989, 1993 and again in 2021 with transfer to Qatar.

Since 2020 Vittorio Sandalli has been the Italian Ambassador to Islamic Republic of Afghanistan . During the evacuation there was a diplomatic representation only at Kabul International Airport and the Embassy was reconstituted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy . At the end of 2021 the Italian embassy in Afganistan moved to Qatar as well as other Western embassies. Since March 2021 Khaled Ahmad Zekriya has been the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ambassador to Italy and the embassy is located in Via Nomentana in Rome. Even today the diplomatic representation is not of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan because the latter isn't recognized by the Italian government.

Agreements

From 1921 and 2019 Italy and Afghanistan signed 28 Treaties in different domains such as financial assistance, agricultural development etc. On February 16, 2022 the Italian government submitted, for most of them, a verbal note of denouncements and it awaits a confirmation of receiving .

In particular the agreements signed are:

• Agreement for the exchange of permanent diplomatic missions;

• Declaration of understanding relating to civil aviation and exchange of notes;

• Trade, payment and economic and technical cooperation agreement, with exchange of notes;

• Reminder of understanding relating to the granting of a contribution of 36 million euros to the afghan budget;

• Agreement to support the remabar project "rehabilitation of the maidan - shar - bamyan road", with attachments;

• Exchange of notes amending the agreement of 20.10.2003 concerning the remabar project "rehabilitation of the maidan shar - bamyan road", with annex;

• Agreement concerning the "rehabilitation of the maidan shar road - bamyan road (second phase)" initiative, with attachments;

• Agreement relating to the Italian contribution to the "national solidarity program";

• Agreement concerning the Italian contribution to the national program adghano "support to microfinance and small afghan enterprises in the provinces of herat, farah and badghis", with attachments;

• Agreement relating to the initiative "financing the development of national health programs in the provinces of kabul and herat", with annex;

• Framework agreement for development cooperation;

• Agreement for the financing of the initiative "support to agriculture and rural development of western provinces", with annexes;

• Cooperation agreement on the prevention and fighting the illicit trafficking in drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors;

• Financial agreement relating to "financing for the national rural accessibility program", with seven annexes;

• Agreement on partnership and long-term cooperation;

• Financial agreement relating to "funding for the national rural accessibility program. year 2012", with six attachments;

• Agreement concerning the italian contribution to the "national solidarity program - III", with two attachments;

• Addendum n.1 to the financial agreement of 24.07.2011 (funding for the national rural accessibility program);

• Addendum n.1 to the financial agreement of 14.10.2012 (funding for the national rural accessibility program. year 2012);

• Credit agreement for a convenient credit granted for the adaptation of the civil aviation sector of herat airport to international standards;

• Agreement concerning the "non-formal approach to training, education and jobs in Afghanistan" (nateja) project of the nsdc program (national skills development program), with three attachments;

• Agreement concerning the italian contribution to the "national solidarity program - III", with two attachments;

• Credit agreement on the granting of a facilitated loan for the "rehabilitation of the east-west corridor from herat to chist-e sharif", with three attachments;

• Agreement for the implementation of the project "support to agriculture and rural markets for high value chains in herat and bamyan (sarm)", with three annexes;

• Agreement for the implementation of the "wash for an inclusive and sustainable development of the population of the provinces of herat, farah, ghor and bamyan", with three annexes;

• Agreement for the implementation of the project "strengthening the statistical system in Afghanistan", with three annexes;

• Agreement for the implementation of the program called "contribution to the construction of the khaf-herat railway section, segment 4 - phase II";

• Agreement for the implementation of the project "sustainable management of the territory and water resources for the improvement of high value agricultural production and marketing in the provinces of herat and bamyan (slwm)", with three annexes.

Economic relations

The economic relations are included inside the international relations. In the last few years the trade between Italy and Afghanistan will grow until 2020, when the situation has changed. Italian exports collapsed, in 2020 the value was 20.555 € million and in 2021 was 9.882€ milion. The import has reversed the trend, in 2020 tha value was 6.030€ million and in 2021 was 49.870€ million. The principal products imported by Italy are textile products and permanent crops, regarding the export, the major commodities are cleaning products and soap. Even though the actual relations with Afghanistan governments, the trade exchange continues.