The European Union was set to host Taliban officials in Brussels on Tuesday after Belgium granted them one-day visas for talks on returning failed Afghan asylum-seekers.
The discussions could advance European efforts to deport Afghans who have no legal right to remain as governments seek a tougher approach to irregular migration.Why are the Taliban in Brussels?
European governments have increasingly pushed for stricter migration policies as the issue has gained political prominence across the continent.
According to EU data, member states received about 1 million asylum applications from Afghans between 2013 and 2024, with roughly half approved.
Around 20 EU countries signaled interest last year in returning some Afghans without a right to stay, particularly those convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.
