Taliban officials hold EU migration talks in Brussels

Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – A Taliban delegation held talks with the EU in Brussels on Tuesday on stepping up the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan, in an unprecedented visit fiercely criticised by rights activists.

The European Commission invited a five-person delegation for discussions under a push to crack down on irregular migration and boost deportations – although the EU does not formally recognise the Taliban administration.

“The meetings were constructive, and there is hope that they will lead to positive developments,” an Afghan official with direct knowledge of the talks, who requested anonymity due to their sensitivity, told AFP.

A spokesman for the European Commission said 15 EU member states participated in the “technical level meeting” co-chaired by Sweden.

The Afghan official said discussions – the first by Taliban officials with EU representatives in Brussels – focused on resuming consular services for Afghans in Europe, on “confidence-building measures” and “a dignified return process”.

The commission said “the identification of returnees” and “the issuance of travel documents” for them to be returned to Afghanistan, were on the agenda.

“The focus was on persons who have committed serious crimes and who pose a security threat,” the commission spokesman said.

The European Union’s outreach to Taliban authorities has drawn strong pushback from rights campaigners who say it flies in the face of the bloc’s values.

“The Taliban have erased women and girls from public life,” said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai – who was shot by Pakistani Taliban militants aged 15 and said she was “shaken and deeply disturbed” by the EU’s invitation.

The Taliban delegation in Brussels was led by foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, and included representatives of the Afghan interior ministry.

Brussels said the meeting was arranged upon the request of 20 EU countries and aimed at providing them the opportunity to “establish contacts” with Taliban authorities.

It followed a January visit by EU officials to Afghanistan to explore the feasibility of organising migrant returns.

EU countries are responsible for arranging repatriations, although the commission can play a coordinating role.

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