A Taliban delegation arrived in Brussels on Tuesday for closed-door talks with the European Commission and representatives of 20 EU member states, including Germany and Belgium, aimed at accelerating the deportation of Afghan migrants deemed security threats. The one-day visit, restricted to the Belgian capital, marks the first time Taliban officials have been received in the EU’s political heartland since the group’s return to power in Kabul in 2021. The European Commission framed the discussions as strictly technical, emphasizing repatriation logistics rather than political engagement, but the meeting has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and lawmakers who accuse Brussels of legitimizing a regime accused of systematic abuses, particularly against women and girls.

The talks follow a formal request from 20 EU countries, led by Germany and Belgium, for direct negotiations to facilitate the return of Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected. According to multiple reports, the discussions focused on the practicalities of deportation flights and the verification of identity documents for returnees. A Dutch government official confirmed participation in the talks, while Sweden’s government faced domestic backlash after hosting preparatory meetings with the Taliban delegation .

Human rights groups condemned the meeting as a dangerous precedent. A coalition of 28 MEPs and former Afghan MPs signed a joint letter warning that engaging with the Taliban risks normalizing a government that has imposed severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and freedom of movement. “This is not a technical discussion—it is a political endorsement,” said one signatory, quoted by *Euronews* . Amnesty International described the talks as “morally indefensible,” while the EU Commission defended its approach as a pragmatic response to migration pressures .

The Taliban delegation, consisting of five officials, was granted one-day visas specifically for the purpose of the negotiations. The EU insists the meetings do not constitute recognition of the Taliban government, which remains unrecognized by Brussels. However, analysts note that the visit represents a symbolic step toward international engagement with the regime. “For the Taliban, this is a small but significant move toward international legitimacy,” wrote *Trouw* .

The controversy underscores the EU’s increasingly contentious approach to migration, as member states grapple with rising numbers of Afghan asylum seekers and political pressure to reduce irregular arrivals. Critics argue that the talks risk undermining the EU’s human rights commitments, while supporters contend that repatriation agreements are necessary to manage migration flows and address security concerns. The outcome of the Brussels meeting is expected to shape future EU-Taliban interactions, with further discussions anticipated in the coming months.

Source Intelligence

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Geographic Origin18 located

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Articles

Dutch official joins EU talks with Taliban on return of rejected asylum seekers A Dutch government official is taking part in talks between the European Commission and the Taliban, according to sources cited after reporting by de Volkskrant.

nltimes.nl · about 2 hours ago

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radio free europe · about 2 hours ago

Bruselj prvič gostil talibane. Organizacije človekovih pravic ogorčene. Predstavniki afganistanskih talibanov so se v Bruslju sestali s predstavniki Evropske komisije in 15 članic EU-ja. Pogovori, do katerih so zagovorniki človekovih pravic kritični, so bili namenjeni predvsem vračanju migrantov v Afganistan.

rtv slovenia · about 2 hours ago

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postimees · about 2 hours ago

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trouw · about 2 hours ago

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rtv slovenia · about 2 hours ago

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lexpress · about 2 hours ago

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welt.de · about 2 hours ago

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taz.de · about 2 hours ago

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helsingin sanomat · about 2 hours ago

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courrier international · about 2 hours ago

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die zeit · about 2 hours ago

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faz · about 2 hours ago

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eunews.it · about 2 hours ago

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bluesky bot · about 2 hours ago