EU to Hold Talks With Taliban on Afghan Migrant Returns

The European Commission plans to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for talks on returning migrants to Afghanistan. The European Commission tells AFP it plans to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for talks on returning migrants to Afghanistan.

The discussions are expected to focus on operational arrangements including travel documents, airport access in Kabul and assurances regarding the safety of those being repatriated. No timetable for the first flight has been announced. The Taliban has not yet publicly commented on the prospective invitation.

European authorities have accelerated the rejection of Afghan asylum applications in recent months. Data from national interior ministries show rejection rates exceeding 60 percent in several key countries in recent quarters. Many claims are refused on the grounds that parts of Afghanistan are now considered safe enough for return.

Officials say direct talks with Kabul are a necessary step to make returns feasible. When returns to a particular country are required, governments must ultimately engage with whoever holds authority there. In this case, that authority rests with the Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The planned meeting reflects the practical challenges of migration policy when the destination country is governed by a regime under sanctions. The EU has maintained sanctions and travel bans on Taliban leaders since their takeover. The upcoming Brussels meeting is expected to focus narrowly on operational details rather than broader diplomatic recognition.

Similar patterns have occurred with returns to Syria, Libya and Sudan in past years.