The European Union is facing criticism after inviting Taliban officials to Brussels for technical talks on deporting failed asylum seekers back to Afghanistan. The European Commission confirmed it is working with Swedish authorities to host the meetings this summer, marking the first time the EU has hosted the group since the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021.
The talks focus on an initiative by 20 EU member states to deport migrants deemed ineligible to stay in the Schengen area due to security risks. EU Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said the invitation was a response to member states' requests, not EU recognition of the Taliban regime. Russia is currently the only country that formally recognises the Taliban government.
Rights groups and some EU lawmakers have condemned the move. Renew Europe MEP Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle called it a 'betrayal of our values', urging Europe not to legitimise the Taliban. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno filed a written question to the Commission, arguing the talks amount to de facto recognition of a regime committing crimes against humanity.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last July for Taliban leaders on charges of persecuting women and girls. The Taliban rejected the warrants as hostile to Islam. It remains unclear if the delegation will include EU-sanctioned officials, and the Commission has not yet finalised travel arrangements.
