EU to Hold Migration Meeting with Taliban Officials in Brussels
Primary region Europe
Tags Immigration · Diplomacy
Regions Europe · Middle East
The European Union announced on June 23, 2026, that it will hold a migration-focused meeting with Taliban officials in Brussels, marking a significant diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan's de facto government. The meeting is expected to focus on the deportation of Afghan nationals who do not have legal status in Europe. The engagement reflects growing European pressure to manage migration flows and the practical necessity of dealing with the Taliban on return agreements. The meeting has drawn criticism from human rights organizations who argue that returns to Afghanistan endanger vulnerable populations.
Strategic interpretation
The EU-Taliban engagement signals a pragmatic shift toward normalizing working relations with the Afghan government, despite the absence of formal recognition. This could facilitate deportation operations that reduce domestic political pressure on European governments from anti-immigration parties. However, the engagement risks legitimizing the Taliban and may face legal challenges from European courts concerned about returnee safety.