KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Commission has denied reports about inviting a Taliban delegation to Brussels for talks on the deportation of migrants to Afghanistan.
Markus Lammert, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated during a press briefing that he could not verify any plans for a meeting in Brussels with the de facto Afghan authorities (the Taliban), nor confirm that an invitation had been issued.
However, he confirmed that contacts with the Taliban regarding the deportation of migrants to Afghanistan are continuing “at a technical level,” emphasizing that these contacts are “not new.”
The spokesperson added that these contacts began after a letter was sent by the interior and migration ministers of 20 European countries to the Commission in October last year. According to him, the ministers had called for increased support from the European Union and the European Commission for deportations to Afghanistan.
Markus Lammert further stated that individuals who do not have the right to remain in Europe or who are considered security threats will be deported to Afghanistan, and that each EU member state will make its own decisions in this regard.
He added that, nevertheless, Afghanistan’s sensitive conditions and the country’s severe humanitarian and human rights situation pose challenges that must be addressed in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, and that they are working on this issue.
Agence France-Presse reported on Monday last week, citing diplomatic sources, that European officials were preparing to host a Taliban delegation for “technical discussions” focused on the return of Afghan nationals without legal status in the bloc.
The report stated that the visit would be coordinated by the European Commission in collaboration with several member states, but emphasized that no formal invitation had been issued. EU officials have not confirmed the plan.
Several European countries have increased deportations of Afghan nationals in recent years, particularly those convicted of crimes. Germany has conducted multiple charter deportation flights since 2024 with support from Qatar, while Austria has carried out similar removals.
Rights groups continue to warn that Afghanistan remains unsafe under Taliban rule and that forced returns could expose individuals to serious harm.
These developments come amid ongoing debates within Europe over migration policies, human rights obligations, and the legal and ethical implications of returning individuals to a country facing significant humanitarian challenges.
