Reuters: EU plans first official Taliban visit to Brussels

The European Union is preparing to invite officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban government to Brussels for what would be their first publicly known official visit to the EU capital, as European countries seek ways to facilitate the return of some Afghan migrants.

According to EU officials, the planned discussions would focus on deportation arrangements for Afghan nationals, particularly migrants considered security threats or those convicted of crimes in Europe, Reuters reports.

An EU spokesperson said the initiative was launched at the request of several member states and stressed that the meeting would not constitute formal recognition of the Taliban government.

No date had been set yet, the spokesperson said, adding that the talks were being organised to pursue these discussions with Afghanistan’s de-facto authorities.

Western governments have refused to formally recognise the Taliban since the group returned to power in Afghanistan five years ago after overthrowing the Western-backed government following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

The spokesperson said EU officials had already travelled to Kabul in January for discussions and that Brussels was now considering “a potential follow-up meeting at technical level in Brussels with the de-facto authorities in Afghanistan.”

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum in Europe since the Taliban takeover. Under European law, some migrants can be deported if they are convicted of crimes or considered security risks, but returns to Afghanistan have remained difficult because of the absence of formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities.

The EU spokesperson also said Sweden is helping coordinate the proposed meeting. 

By Sabina Mammadli