The European Commission invites officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban to discuss the return of certain Afghan migrants, according to reporting by DW. The initiative is framed as part of efforts to manage migration and returns, but it is controversial. Human rights and humanitarian groups and some EU critics raise concerns about the treatment of people who could be sent back to Afghanistan, given the Taliban’s record and the protection risks faced by many Afghans. The controversy also reflects the EU’s political position toward the group: Brussels does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate authority of Afghanistan. As a result, inviting Taliban officials for talks is seen by critics as blurring that non-recognition stance, even if the engagement is limited to migration-related discussions. The coverage indicates the meetings involve officials and focus specifically on return processes for selected migrants rather than broader diplomatic engagement. The reports emphasize that the decision is being debated within the EU due to both humanitarian implications and the legal and political status of the Taliban in EU policymaking.