The visit comes as the Taliban seek a larger diplomatic role in Europe
The Taliban used a landmark visit to Brussels on Tuesday to press EU officials to restart consular services for Afghans across Europe.
The delegation, led by Afghan foreign ministry communications chief Abdul Qahar Balkhi, discussed measures aimed at “restarting broad-range consular services for Afghans in EU zone”, Balkhi said in a statement shared with Euractiv.
The controversial visit comes as the Taliban seek a larger diplomatic role in Europe. Most Afghan embassies on the continent remain staffed by diplomats appointed before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with Germany the only European country to have accepted Taliban-appointed diplomats.
“This was a historic visit as first time ever that delegation from Islamic Emirate visited the EU and held talks with member states in Brussels,” Balkhi said in the statement. “We hope to build positive momentum to safeguard the consular rights of Afghans residing abroad.”
