Agence France-Presse, citing sources, reports that Taliban officials are expected to travel to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, in the coming weeks to hold talks on the deportation of Afghan migrants from the European Union.
The sources said the Taliban delegation’s visit was initially scheduled for late March.
A diplomatic source told the agency: “The idea is to invite them before the summer,” adding that the Taliban delegation will be a “technical team.”
AFP wrote that European officials are gathering information on flights and the capacity of Kabul airport, and are also discussing with the Taliban what will happen to people who are returned.
The European Union is working on plans to return Afghan migrants who do not have the right to stay in the bloc, while human rights organizations and the United Nations have expressed concern over the issue.
The visit of Taliban officials, coordinated by the European Commission and several EU member states, follows two exploratory visits by European officials to Afghanistan to discuss migration issues.
According to AFP, the European Commission has not yet sent a formal invitation to the Taliban.
Around 20 EU member states are reviewing how to deport Afghan migrants, particularly those who have committed crimes.
Germany has already started the process and has deported more than 100 people via charter flights since 2024. Austria has also followed this approach.
