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The EU is preparing to host Taliban representatives for the first time since the group's return to power in Afghanistan.
Belgium has issued visas to a Taliban delegation to attend a migration meeting in Brussels, paving the way for the first visit by Taliban representatives to an EU-hosted event since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The planned talks have already sparked criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that engaging with the Taliban risks undermining the European Union's commitment to human rights.
However, the Belgian government said it approved five visas for members of the delegation after security assessments found no evidence that the individuals posed a threat. The visas are tightly restricted, allowing entry only to Belgium, not the wider Schengen Area, and are valid for a single day.
Belgian officials have refused to disclose the exact date of the visit, citing security concerns. However, EU sources say the meeting was expected to take place shortly after the visas were issued.
What will the talks focus on?
According to European officials, the discussions will focus on migration and the possible return of Afghan nationals who do not have the right to remain in the European Union. In May, the European Commission announced its "intention to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for discussions concerning the return of migrants to Afghanistan."
The European Commission has stressed that the meeting is being held at a technical level and does not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban government. EU officials have repeatedly said the talks are intended to address practical migration issues rather than diplomatic relations with Afghanistan's rulers.
The issue remains highly sensitive because the Taliban have faced widespread international criticism since regaining power. They imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment and freedom of movement.
Human rights groups have been urging the EU to cancel the meeting altogether. Organisations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International argue that any engagement with the Taliban should focus on accountability and human rights rather than facilitating deportations to a country they describe as increasingly dangerous.
The controversy has also revealed divisions within Belgium itself. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said he opposed inviting Taliban representatives to Brussels, but argued that Belgium could not refuse the visas because it hosts the EU's institutions and was acting on a request linked to official European business.
The talks come as European governments face growing pressure to tighten migration policies. While Afghans remain among the nationalities most likely to receive asylum protection in the EU, several member states have pushed for stricter migration controls and greater cooperation on returns for people whose applications have been rejected.
Afghanistan is currently facing a humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations, millions of Afghans face food insecurity and economic hardship, while the country is also absorbing large numbers of returnees from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan.
