Taliban delegation heads to Brussels for first EU talks focused on Afghan deportations

A delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban government is holding rare talks with European Union officials in Brussels. The discussions, organized at the request of member states, are expected to focus on the return of Afghan nationals from Europe. This marks an unusual engagement between the bloc and a regime that none of its 27 member states formally recognize.

The meeting comes as several EU governments push to accelerate deportations of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected, as well as individuals deemed security risks or convicted of serious crimes. EU officials stated that the talks were initiated in response to demands from member states seeking stronger cooperation on migrant returns. A five-member Taliban delegation, including foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi, is attending.

The visit represents a rare diplomatic opening for the Taliban, which has remained largely isolated internationally since returning to power in 2021. European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed the talks stemmed from member states' requests for technical contacts on returns. He noted that "Member states are looking into ways to return persons who have committed serious crimes and who are possibly a security threat."

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Member states are looking into ways to return persons who have committed serious crimes and who are possibly a security threat.

Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot stressed that facilitating the visit does not equate to recognition of the Taliban administration, stating, "Belgium cannot confer legitimacy on a regime accused of serious human rights violations." Members of the Taliban delegation were granted visas with limited territorial validity, allowing them to remain in Belgium for only 24 hours without access to other Schengen travel zone countries.

The talks are occurring amid mounting political pressure across Europe to tighten migration policies. Twenty EU member states signed a letter last October calling for stronger measures to increase deportations and strengthen border controls. EU figures indicate that only about 2 percent of the 22,870 Afghans ordered to leave the bloc have actually returned. Human rights groups have strongly criticized the meeting, warning it risks legitimizing a government accused of widespread abuses.

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Belgium cannot confer legitimacy on a regime accused of serious human rights violations. Making a meeting possible in the framework of our host-state policy does not amount to recognition, does not amount to legitimacy, and does not constitute an invitation by the Belgian government.