EU Plans Brussels Meeting With Kabul Officials Over Afghan Deportations: AFP

The European Commission told AFP it is preparing a technical meeting in Brussels with Taliban authorities to discuss migrant returns and deportations.

Sources familiar with the matter said an invitation letter would soon be sent to Kabul to coordinate the date of the talks, which are being arranged with Sweden.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said EU officials were working on a“possible technical meeting” with Afghanistan's de facto authorities after earlier discussions held in Kabul in January 2026.

The move comes as around 20 European Union countries review plans to return migrants, particularly those convicted of crimes, to Afghanistan as part of broader immigration restrictions.

European governments have increased pressure to accelerate deportations despite warnings from rights groups about Afghanistan's worsening humanitarian crisis and restrictions on women and civil liberties since 2021.

Several human rights organizations and U.N. experts have criticized European engagement with Taliban authorities, arguing that deportations could place returnees at risk.

Afghanistan continues to face severe economic hardship, widespread unemployment and heavy dependence on international humanitarian assistance following years of political instability and sanctions.

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