Belgium has issued five single-day visas to a Taliban delegation to attend an upcoming European Union migration meeting on Tuesday. The high-stakes talks mark the first time the EU has hosted the group since the Taliban reassumed power in Afghanistan nearly five years ago.
According to the European Commission, the discussions will focus on managing irregular migration and establishing mechanisms to deport Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected. EU Commission spokesman Markus Lammert noted that member states are specifically looking for ways to deport individuals who have committed serious crimes or pose security threats.
While an invitation letter seen by Reuters was addressed to Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the EU has not publicly disclosed the identities of the attendees, some of whom may be subject to EU sanctions. The Commission strongly emphasized that hosting the technical talks does not constitute formal diplomatic recognition of the Taliban regime.