EU officials in Brussels hold talks with a Taliban delegation for the first time, focusing on the return of failed Afghan asylum-seekers. Multiple outlets report that Belgium issues temporary visas for the delegation, and human rights groups criticise the meeting as a step that could be seen as legitimising the Taliban. The European Union and its member states do not recognise the Taliban government, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the overthrow of a U.S.-backed NATO-supported administration. The EU, however, defends the talks as technical engagement aimed at making repatriations easier, including arranging returns for people not allowed to stay in Europe. Reports describe the meeting as an attempt to ramp up deportations or migrant returns, including through high-level or prominent EU contact with the Taliban since 2021. Coverage also notes that the discussions are presented as part of broader EU efforts to manage irregular migration and asylum outcomes, while critics argue the approach poses risks for rights and protection standards for returnees.
EU hosts Taliban officials in Brussels for talks on returning failed Afghan asylum-seekers
EU officials in Brussels hold talks with a Taliban delegation for the first time, focusing on the return of failed Afghan asylum-seekers. Multiple outlets report that Belgium issues temporary visas fo...
- A Taliban delegation meets EU officials in Brussels for the first time to discuss returns of failed Afghan asylum-seekers.
- Belgium issues temporary visas for the delegation, enabling the talks.
- The EU and its member states do not recognise the Taliban administration.
- Human rights groups criticise the meeting as potentially legitimising the Taliban.
- The EU describes the talks as technical steps intended to facilitate repatriations for people who are not allowed to stay in Europe.
In a rare and controversial trip to Europe, a Taliban delegation has met EU officials in Brussels to discuss increasing the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan — a move that has drawn fierce condemnation from human rights advocates. The EU and its member states have not recognised the Taliban government since the group regained […]
2 months agoAn Afghan Taliban delegation met EU officials in Brussels on Tuesday for the first time, an event rights groups denounced as legitimising the Islamists but the EU has defended as a step towards making it easier to repatriate failed asylum seekers.
2 months agoAn Afghan Taliban delegation met EU officials in Brussels on Tuesday for the first time, an event rights groups denounced as legitimising the Islamists but the EU has…
2 months agoA Taliban delegation has held talks with the EU in Brussels on stepping up the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan, in an unprecedented visit fiercely criticised by rights advocates.
2 months agoFor the first time, Afghan Taliban officials were in Brussels for talks. European governments want to deport Afghans they deem a danger.
2 months agoEU hosts Taliban officials for the first time in talks on deportations Al JazeeraEU faces fierce criticism over plans to host Taliban in Brussels The GuardianEU invites Taliban to Brussels for talks on sending Afghans home The TelegraphEU officials meet Taliban in Brussels to speed up Afghan deportations EuronewsTaliban use Brussels visit to push for consular access in Europe Euractiv
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