Full Breakdown
EU to Invite Taliban to Brussels for Afghan Return Talks
5/12/2026, 12:54:06 PM
The Planned Technical Meeting
The European Commission will invite Taliban representatives to Brussels for a technical discussion on repatriating Afghan nationals. A letter to Kabul, coordinated with Sweden, will be sent imminently to set a meeting date; the talks follow a January 2026 technical meeting in Kabul and will address passport issuance and airport capacity. No date is set.
Background
Since 2023, EU public sentiment on migration has hardened, prompting tighter policies. Around twenty member states are exploring returns of migrants, especially those with criminal convictions, to Afghanistan. EU and Belgian officials visited Kabul, and Austria hosted a Taliban delegation in Vienna in September. Sources vary on the exact number of EU states involved, describing the group as “around twenty,” and no definitive Brussels meeting timetable has been disclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
The European Commission leads the effort, with migration commissioner Magnus Brunner set to answer the Parliament, and Belgium’s asylum minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt calling Brussels meeting “an important and necessary” step. Sweden co-coordinates, and Taliban will be represented by de-facto authorities. The Commission spokesperson said the January 2026 meeting was technical and that the EU is working jointly with Sweden to pursue these discussions.
Data on Afghan Migration and Returns
Around twenty EU countries are assessing returns. Over five million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since 2023, many in hardship. Germany logged about one million Afghan asylum applications (2013-2024), approved roughly half, and has deported over 100 convicted Afghans since 2024 via Qatar-chartered flights. In 2025 Afghans were the EU’s largest asylum-seeker group.
Expected Outcomes
Officials aim to solve logistical hurdles, notably issuing travel documents when Afghan embassies in Europe lack Taliban recognition, and evaluating Kabul airport’s capacity for returnees. The talks focus on coordination.
Criticism
NGOs condemn the plan. Lisa Owen of the International Rescue Committee warned that “deporting Afghans back to a country where almost half of the population cannot feed themselves is not a migration policy; it is a decision that could cost lives.” Critics fear Taliban officials could identify individuals for return, jeopardising rights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Deporting Afghans back to a country where almost half of the population cannot feed themselves is not a migration policy; it is a decision that could cost lives,” — Lisa Owen, International Rescue Committee
- “an important and necessary” — Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Belgium’s minister for asylum and migration
- “In this context a technical meeting took place in Kabul in January 2026,” — EU Commission spokesperson
Next Steps
The EU will send the invitation letter within days, after which a Brussels meeting date will be set. Magnus Brunner will present the proposal to the European Parliament, and further coordination with the Taliban will focus on passport logistics and airport readiness.
