The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) demanded Brussels discussions on the Taliban be held behind closed doors, according to multiple sources.
The meeting, held in-camera (behind closed doors) in Brussels on Tuesday (14 July), included a back-and-forth between European lawmakers and Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for home affairs.
That secrecy and lack of public access highlight the political sensitivity over an issue that sees the Taliban gain more prominence in a Europe determined to deport as many people as possible back to Afghanistan.
“The EPP put this condition that it would be an in-camera meeting,” said one source, who asked not to be named. The EPP was approached for comment but has not responded as of publication.
Only two advisors from each of the political groups were allowed to attend, along with the MEPs, said a second source.
