EU Commissioner Defends Technical Talks with Taliban on Migrant Returns

EU Interior Commissioner Magnus Brunner has defended the recent discussions held with representatives of the Taliban, asserting they were "technical talks at the official level" and do not constitute a de facto recognition of the Afghan rulers. The meetings, held in Brussels, involved officials from 15 EU member states, but no political representatives were present, Brunner clarified during a press briefing with Austrian journalists.

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It was not an acknowledgement of the Taliban.

Brunner explained that the initiative for these talks came from 20 EU member states that collectively requested the European Commission to engage with the Taliban. The primary objective of these discussions is to address the issue of returning criminal migrants to Afghanistan. The Commissioner stressed that the EU is not providing any concessions or "giving anything" to the Taliban regime through these engagements.

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Technical talks at the official level.

He further emphasized that the presence of officials rather than politicians signifies the technical nature of the dialogue. This distinction is crucial in maintaining the EU's stance on the Taliban's legitimacy. The talks are aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation on migration issues, specifically concerning individuals who have committed crimes within the EU and whose home country is Afghanistan.

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15 EU countries had asked the EU Commission for it.

The Commissioner's defense comes amidst ongoing international scrutiny of engagement with the Taliban. Brunner's remarks aim to reassure that the EU's approach remains pragmatic and focused on specific, practical outcomes without compromising its political principles regarding the recognition of the ruling authority in Kabul.

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Political representatives were not present.