EU to Host Taliban Delegation to Discuss Migrant Returns

The European Union confirmed plans to invite a Taliban delegation to Brussels this summer to discuss the return of Afghan migrants [1, 2].

The move signals a shift in diplomatic engagement as the EU seeks to address migration concerns. Critics said that hosting the delegation could provide the Taliban with international legitimacy despite the group's governance record in Afghanistan.

This development follows a trip by the EU special envoy to Afghanistan, who visited Kabul earlier this month ^[1]. The upcoming meetings in Belgium are intended to negotiate the legal and logistical frameworks for the deportation of Afghan nationals currently residing in EU member states [1, 2].

Officials have not specified the exact number of delegates expected to attend the summer session. The negotiations focus on the return of migrants who may no longer have legal claims to stay in Europe, a priority for several EU governments facing internal political pressure over border security [1, 2].

The EU has previously maintained a cautious approach toward the Taliban, balancing humanitarian needs with the refusal to formally recognize the group as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. However, the necessity of a bilateral agreement for migrant returns has pushed the bloc toward direct engagement [1, 2].

Brussels remains the primary hub for these discussions, while the groundwork was laid during the envoy's recent presence in Kabul ^[1]. The EU has not released a detailed itinerary for the summer visit, but the focus remains on the return of migrants [1, 2].