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Taliban Delegation Holds Technical Talks with EU Officials in Brussels on Returns

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EU Meets Taliban in Brussels for Technical Talks on Migration

The European Commission has stated that the discussions were technical in nature and do not imply recognition of the Taliban government.

A delegation from the Afghan Taliban met with European Union officials in Brussels on Tuesday for closed-door discussions focused on consular services and the return of Afghans to Afghanistan. The meeting, which included representatives from 15 EU member states, was the first of its kind at the EU level.

Meeting Details

The Taliban delegation was led by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was co-chaired by the European Commission and Sweden, according to a European Commission spokesperson. The location of the meeting was undisclosed and did not take place at official EU or Belgian government sites.

Taliban delegates were issued visas by Belgium that were limited to 24 hours, with no access to other Schengen zone countries. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that Belgium complied with an EU request to grant the visas, adding that facilitating the meeting "does not amount to recognition, does not amount to legitimacy, and does not constitute an invitation by the Belgian government."

Discussion Topics

Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated that the talks covered "restarting broad-range consular services for Afghans in [the] EU zone, including need for trust-building measures, consular presence and dignified return process."

European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert described the talks as "technical-level contacts" focused on returns. Lammert stated that the meeting was in response to a request from 20 EU member states calling for stronger migration policies and increased deportations.

According to Belgian Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, only 2% of the 22,870 Afghans ordered to leave the EU have done so.

Background

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. No EU member state recognizes the Taliban government.

The European Commission sent a mission to Kabul in January 2025, which officials described as the first such engagement on Afghan soil. EU Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert stated that contact with the Taliban had been ongoing "for a while."

According to EU data, member states received approximately 1 million asylum applications from Afghans between 2013 and 2024, with roughly half approved.

Afghanistan has experienced the return of approximately 3 million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran in the past year.

Statements from Participating Officials

  • European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert characterized the talks as "technical-level contacts" and stated that the meeting does not imply recognition of the Taliban.
  • European Union migration chief Magnus Brunner stated that Brussels had no other option than to engage with the Taliban government on the return of irregular migrants.
  • Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium does not recognize the Taliban but complied with an EU request to grant visas for the delegation.

Reactions from Rights Groups and Advocates

  • Human Rights Watch researcher Fereshta Abbasi criticized the EU for cooperating with the Taliban on deportations while condemning their human rights abuses.
  • Amnesty International's Eve Geddie stated that deportations to Afghanistan were "unconscionable" given conditions there.
  • Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai stated that the EU should not legitimize the Taliban regime and that any engagement should prioritize the rights of Afghan women and girls.