The EU Commission insisted that the meeting primarily concerned returning Afghan nationals with a criminal history and who pose a security threat. But refused to provide any details of the meeting, leaving questions unanswered on who was paying the Taliban trip, where it was taking place, whether any women would be present, and what the Taliban wanted in return

The EU Commission on Monday refused to respond if any of its own delegation would include female staffers in order to conform with male-only events - as per Taliban tradition.

The meeting is expected to focus on ways to deport some Afghan migrants, despite warnings from rights groups that such engagement could put them at risk.

Brussels to host Taliban for talks on return of Afghans posing security threat in Europe