EU Prepares Brussels Talks With Taliban Over Afghan Deportations

The European Commission is preparing to host a technical delegation of Taliban officials in Brussels to negotiate the deportation of Afghan citizens who lack legal residency status. Coordinated alongside several member states, these negotiations follow two exploratory trips by European officials to Afghanistan to evaluate flight logistics, Kabul airport capacity, and the treatment of returnees.

Approximately 20 EU countries are currently exploring these deportations, with a primary focus on individuals convicted of crimes. Some member states have already initiated this process; Germany has deported more than 100 Afghans since 2024, and Austria has followed suit, with both nations utilizing charter flights facilitated by Qatar.

The initiative aligns with shifting public opinion on migration and the rise of right-wing electoral gains across the bloc. However, the plan faces significant opposition from the United Nations refugee agency and various rights groups. Critics cite the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the fact that the EU does not officially recognize the Taliban government.