The Taliban government is not recognised by any European country, despite this meeting in Brussels with EU officials.

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