Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to return some Afghans convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.
An Afghan official, who asked not to be named, told AnewZ that a delegation had travelled to Brussels and that discussions were focused on the deportation of Afghan nationals from Europe.
The visit marks the first time the European Union has hosted Taliban officials since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said in a statement that allowing the meeting did not mean Belgium recognised the Taliban or conferred legitimacy on the group.
The visas were valid only for Belgium and limited to 24 hours, according to AP. The delegation was also barred from travelling to other countries within the Schengen area.
The European Commission said the meeting was technical in nature and did not amount to recognition of Taliban rule.
Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said EU member states were examining options for returning certain Afghan nationals in specific cases.
“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,” Lammert told the EU’s daily press briefing on Monday.
The Commission invited Taliban officials last month to discuss the possible return of Afghan nationals deemed ineligible to remain in Europe.
Human rights organisations have warned that cooperation with the Taliban on returns could place Afghans at risk and undermine EU values.
Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum in Europe since the Taliban’s return to power.
Returns to Afghanistan have remained limited because EU countries do not recognise Taliban rule and maintain no full diplomatic relations with Kabul.
Afghanistan is also facing a severe humanitarian crisis while receiving large numbers of returning nationals from Iran and Pakistan.
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