The Finnish embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, has suspended its activities and closed its doors due to the rapid deterioration of the situation in the Asian country, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported at midnight on Sunday.
Finnish diplomacy reported in a statement that the Finnish mission has lost "operational capacity" due to the lack of security in Kabul. The Taliban fundamentalists have entered the capital, after the United States and its allies decided to withdraw their troops.
Western diplomatic personnel and thousands of Afghans are now crowding at the airport in the Afghan capital, waiting to be evacuated from the country.
"The diplomatic personnel of the (Finnish) mission are being evacuated," also says the note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since 6 August, the Finnish government has been asking its citizens to leave Afghanistan.
Evacuation
The Foreign Ministry says it has been in contact with Finns residing in the country and says it will help those who request consular assistance to leave "as far as possible."
Finnish citizens in Afghanistan have been advised to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the telephone number +358 9 1605 5555 or the email address [email protected]
Preparations for the announced evacuation of Finns and Afghans who have worked for Finnish and Western troops and diplomats continue "in cooperation with other authorities," according to the government.
