The European Commission has invited representatives of the Taliban to Brussels for talks on deporting Afghan nationals who have been refused permission to stay in the European Union. The invitation followed a preliminary technical meeting held in Afghanistan in January 2026 and aims to discuss how to coordinate returns of Afghan migrants [1, 2, 3].

This initiative originated after 20 EU member states and Schengen countries requested consultations on migration returns from Afghanistan in late 2025. These states include Germany and Sweden, which have pushed for progress following security incidents, such as a 2025 knife attack in Germany by an Afghan national who was subject to a deportation order [1, 2, 3].

According to Markus Lammert, a European Commission spokesman, "We're speaking here about persons who pose a security threat. These are the persons that member states want to return." He emphasized that "every return decision has to be in line with EU and international law, including in particular fundamental rights" [1].

Of the Afghans issued return orders by EU countries in 2024, only about 2% were actually deported. This low rate has increased pressure to establish direct dialogue for returns [1, 2]. Lammert confirmed that "DG Home, together with the Swedish Ministry of Justice, has sent a letter to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to inquire about the availability for a meeting at a technical level here in Brussels" [3].

The invitation to the Taliban does not amount to formal recognition of them as Afghanistan's government, the Commission clarified [1, 2, 3]. Complications persist due to a 2024 ruling from the European Court of Justice that Taliban treatment of women constitutes persecution, which affects return decisions [1, 2].

Meanwhile, the UNHCR reports that Pakistan and Iran have deported over 5 million Afghans since October in an unspecified year, highlighting regional deportation activity outside the EU [1, 2].

The talks in Brussels are the next step following the January technical meeting in Kabul and the letter sent to Taliban representatives on May 12. The discussions aim to establish practical arrangements for carrying out safe and lawful returns of Afghan nationals deemed security risks by EU countries [1, 2, 3].