Belgian authorities announced on Monday that they had granted five visas to a Taliban delegation for the purpose of attending an EU migration meeting in Brussels. This would mark the first time the EU has hosted the group since the Islamists regained control of Afghanistan five years ago.
The Belgian foreign ministry spokesperson stated that the visas are geographically restricted and have a limited duration, allowing for only a single day of travel to Belgium. They also stated that the date of the visit would not be disclosed for security reasons.
According to two European officials, the delegation was issued one-day visas that were valid exclusively on Tuesday, June 23. Despite warnings from human rights groups that such engagement could jeopardize fundamental EU values and endanger Afghans, the Commission last month extended an invitation to Taliban officials to Brussels to discuss the deportation of Afghan migrants.
The Commission stated that the meeting is purely technical and does not represent recognition of Taliban rule. Member States are investigating methods to reintegrate individuals who have committed serious crimes and may pose a security threat.” So this is the initiative that the Commission is currently pursuing,” Commission spokesman Markus Lammert stated during the EU’s daily press briefing on Monday.
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