EU Officials Hold Controversial Brussels Talks with Taliban Delegation

The meeting serves as a direct follow-up to discussions held in Kabul this past January. European Commission spokespeople emphasized that the agenda remained strictly limited to the return and readmission of Afghan nationals who lack legal status within the bloc. However, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi offered a broader interpretation, suggesting the talks also covered potential consular services and measures to build diplomatic trust.

Opposition to the visit remains sharp. European lawmaker Hannah Neumann, backed by a coalition of parliamentarians, argued that the Taliban prioritize international recognition over technical cooperation. Critics contend that engaging with the group undermines EU values, particularly given the Taliban’s ongoing suppression of women’s education, employment, and basic civil liberties.

To mitigate political fallout, Belgian authorities imposed strict conditions on the delegation. The issued visas permitted entry for only a single day and restricted the representatives to Belgian soil, preventing them from traveling through the wider Schengen zone. Despite these constraints, the event marks the first time the EU has hosted Taliban officials on its home turf since the group regained control of Afghanistan five years ago.