The European Union hosted Taliban officials in Brussels on Tuesday after Belgium granted them one-day visas for talks on returning failed Afghan asylum-seekers. The meeting is one of the bloc's highest-level contacts with the Taliban since 2021.
The discussions could advance European efforts to deport Afghans who have no legal right to remain, as governments seek a tougher approach to irregular migration. According to EU data, member states received about 1 million asylum applications from Afghans between 2013 and 2024, with roughly half approved.
Around 20 EU countries signaled interest last year in returning some Afghans without a right to stay, particularly those convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats. Belgium, acting as host country for EU institutions, approved five visas following a 'security assessment,' a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.
The European Commission invited the delegation despite not formally recognizing the Taliban regime. European governments closed their embassies in Kabul when the Taliban swept back to power in 2021, reimposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The outreach has drawn criticism from rights groups. Fereshta Abbasi of Human Rights Watch said: 'EU countries are undermining their credibility by condemning Taliban abuses and pursuing accountability on one hand, while cooperating with the Taliban to forcibly return Afghans on the other.'
EU migration chief Magnus Brunner defended the engagement, stating: 'It is important to talk to them at least to improve the situation for Europeans, but also for asylum applicants.' He claimed Brussels had no other option than to engage with the Taliban regime on the return of irregular migrants.
Germany is among countries seeking to significantly expand deportations to Afghanistan, aiming to establish a near-weekly 'deportation air bridge' targeting serious offenders and security threats.
Rights groups and humanitarian organizations have questioned whether returns are legal or ethical, given Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis, with millions facing hunger and economic hardship, according to the United Nations.
Source: www.dw.com