The European Union is set to host Taliban officials in Brussels for talks on migration, marking the first known visit by the group to an EU meeting since it returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Belgium confirmed it had issued five visas for the delegation. The permits allow travel only within Belgium and are valid for a single day. Officials said details of the visit would remain confidential for security reasons.
The meeting is expected to focus on the return of Afghan nationals who no longer have the right to remain in the EU, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
The European Commission said the discussions are technical in nature and do not amount to formal recognition of Taliban rule.
"Member States are looking into ways to return persons who have committed serious crimes and who are possibly a security threat. So this is the initiative that the Commission is now following up on," Commission spokesman Markus Lammert said.
European governments have faced growing pressure to address migration, while deportations to Afghanistan have remained difficult because of the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Human rights organisations criticised the planned talks and urged the EU to reconsider its approach.
"Any engagement with the Taliban needs to prioritize protecting human rights and accountability - not deporting people to danger there," said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International also questioned the move. Eve Geddie, director of the organisation's European Institutions Office, said: "It is unconscionable that the EU would now try and deport people to Afghanistan, which has only become more dangerous in the meantime."
Since regaining power, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, limiting education, employment and freedom of movement.
Afghanistan also continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving millions reliant on aid and struggling to secure enough food.
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