Taliban Officials Travel to Brussels for European Union Deportation Talks

Taliban officials are set to travel to Brussels after receiving visas issued by Belgium. The purpose of the visit is to engage in discussions with the European Union regarding the deportation of Afghans from member countries.

Several European nations, including Sweden, pushed for the talks. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, coordinated the meeting, though it has been met with diplomatic sensitivity.

Belgian Foreign Ministry spokesman Laurens Soenen confirmed the issuance of five visas to the Taliban delegation. These visas are valid for one day. However, the exact date of the delegation’s arrival remains undisclosed due to security and public order concerns.

An Afghan government official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that a five-member delegation is expected to attend the one-day meeting in Brussels. The focus will be on consular services for Afghan citizens in the EU, including their return to Afghanistan.

A diplomat in Kabul, who is informed about the visit but not part of the Taliban administration, confirmed the meeting’s schedule for Tuesday.

The European Commission has described the event as a ‘technical’ meeting, emphasizing that EU member states called for the engagement.