The Taliban’s planned visit to Brussels for talks on migrant returns has run into an unexpected obstacle after Belgium revealed that it has yet to receive any visa applications from the Afghan delegation invited by the European Commission.
Belgium’s foreign affairs ministry told Euractiv that no formal requests had been submitted by members of the delegation expected to travel to the Belgian capital later this month for what Brussels has described as “technical-level” discussions.
Under Belgian procedures, visa applications must be filed individually by those intending to travel, a process that is expected to take several weeks.
The meetings, organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Swedish government, are intended to focus on the return of convicted criminals and individuals considered security threats.
EU officials insist the talks do not amount to diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government, which retook power in Afghanistan in 2021 and has since imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, including restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women.
The Commission confirmed in May that it had invited Taliban representatives to Brussels as part of a “technical follow-up meeting” on migration cooperation. The move followed earlier rounds of discussions held in Afghanistan and reflects growing pressure from EU member states seeking ways to restart deportations of Afghan nationals, particularly those with criminal convictions.
The delegation is expected to be led by Taliban foreign affairs spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, although no explanation has been given for the apparent delay in the visa process.
Belgian authorities said they had already received the names of prospective delegates and had begun security screening procedures. However, they stressed that the final step depends on the individuals concerned submitting formal applications.
The proposed visit has provoked a strong political backlash, with critics arguing that hosting Taliban representatives would lend legitimacy to a regime accused of severe human rights abuses.
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s failure even to submit visa applications raises fresh questions about the seriousness of the planned dialogue and whether both sides remain committed to the initiative.
The Commission believes that the meetings are necessary to facilitate migration management. Similar arguments have been made by Germany, which has established limited technical cooperation with Taliban-appointed officials to support deportation procedures while insisting that it does not formally recognise the regime.
EU countries received about a million asylum applications filed by Afghans between 2013 and 2024, according to AFP. About half as many were approved over the period. In 2025, Afghans still accounted for the largest share of asylum applicants in the EU.
