In a landmark yet contentious development, a delegation from the Afghan Taliban met with European Union officials in Brussels on Tuesday. This marked the first occasion that such senior-level discussions have occurred on European soil since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan five years ago.
Human rights groups and activists strongly criticized the meeting, viewing it as an attempt to legitimize the hardline Islamist regime. Meanwhile, the EU defended the talks as a pragmatic measure aimed at facilitating the return of Afghan asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected.
Neither the EU nor its member states have formally recognized the Taliban government since its takeover of Kabul following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces. However, Brussels emphasized that limited engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities is crucial, especially to manage the deportation of individuals considered criminals or security threats within Europe.
The European Commission confirmed that representatives from 15 member states participated in the technical-level meeting, which was co-chaired by Sweden and concentrated exclusively on the logistics of return and readmission. Yet, the Taliban’s account of the discussions suggested a broader agenda. Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi indicated via social media that talks also covered the possibility of establishing a consular presence in the EU and advancing “trust-building measures.” Balkhi expressed optimism that the meeting could foster positive momentum to protect the consular rights of Afghans living abroad.
The diplomatic engagement has provoked sharp backlash from international figures and human rights advocates. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai led the denunciations on social media, urging Europe not to legitimize a regime responsible for one of the world’s gravest human rights crises.
Experts have cautioned about the dire consequences for Afghans returned to Kabul. Jeff Crisp, former UNHCR policy chief and Oxford fellow, warned that deportees could face immediate persecution upon arrival.
Reflecting the sensitivity of the visit, Belgium’s Foreign Ministry disclosed that it granted the Afghan delegation a highly restricted, single-day visa. Their movement was confined strictly to Belgian territory, with no access to travel freely within the Schengen zone.
The talks occurred amid ongoing Taliban enforcement of stringent morality laws, which have severely curtailed women’s freedom of movement, banned girls from education beyond primary school, and imposed harsh restrictions on employment and free expression.
