The European Union has invited Taliban officials to Brussels for talks on Afghan migration and deportation procedures.
A key meeting between the European Union and the Taliban is set to take place to discuss migration issues and repatriation processes. Belgium has granted visas to five Taliban representatives to attend the talks in Brussels.
A spokesperson for the Belgian Foreign Ministry told reporters that the visas were issued on Monday following security assessments and are valid only for a single day in Belgium.
The European Commission stated that the discussions will focus on the return of Afghan nationals who do not have the right to remain in Europe, as well as irregular migration flows from Afghanistan to EU member states.
The meeting is notable as it will be the first hosted by the European Union since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Return and Readmission Plans on the Agenda
According to a report by Reuters, the talks will primarily focus on the “return and readmission of Afghan nationals who do not have the right to stay in the European Union.”
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said that EU member states are exploring ways to deport individuals who have committed serious crimes or are considered security threats.
One Million Asylum Applications
According to the EU Agency for Asylum, approximately one million Afghan nationals applied for asylum in European Union countries between 2013 and 2024.
Although Afghans continue to be among the groups with the highest asylum recognition rates in Europe, acceptance rates have reportedly declined in recent years as migration policies across the continent have become more restrictive.