A delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban government is set to hold rare closed-door talks with European Union officials in Brussels on Tuesday. The discussions are expected to focus on the return of Afghan nationals from Europe, marking an unusual engagement between the bloc and a regime that none of its 27 member states formally recognises.

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