Agence France-Presse reports that the European Commission plans to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for discussions regarding the deportation of Afghan migrants.
According to the report, a letter is expected to be sent to Kabul soon to determine the timing of the meeting.
The talks are reportedly being coordinated with Sweden, and two European delegations are expected to visit Afghanistan before the meeting takes place.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that EU officials are working on organizing a technical meeting with Taliban representatives in Brussels.
However, no official date has yet been announced.
The move comes as around 20 European Union member states seek ways to facilitate the return of Afghan migrants, particularly individuals with criminal convictions.
Several European countries had previously urged the EU to pursue diplomatic and practical mechanisms to accelerate deportation procedures involving Afghan nationals.
The initiative has faced criticism from human rights organizations and migrant advocacy groups.
Critics argue that returning Afghan migrants to a country facing severe human rights, humanitarian, and economic crises could place many lives at serious risk.
According to European Union statistics, approximately one million Afghan citizens applied for asylum in Europe between 2013 and 2024.
Afghans also remained the largest group of asylum applicants in Europe during 2025.
Some European countries, including Germany, have already resumed deportation procedures involving Afghan migrants.
Analysts say the EU’s direct engagement with Taliban officials on migration issues reflects growing political pressure within Europe to manage migration flows and strengthen deportation systems.
Experts also note that while the talks are being framed as technical and practical, they could intensify debate over whether such engagement gradually contributes to political normalization and indirect legitimization of the Taliban.
