Brussels – The topic of repatriation is back in the news, but this time, the European Union has set its sights on Afghan migrants “who pose a threat to security within the European Union.” The EU confirmed today (12 May) that it has sent an invitation to Taliban officials to come to Brussels for talks on the repatriation of migrants. This was confirmed by the spokesperson for Home Affairs Markus Lammert
during the usual midday press briefing at the Berlaymont building of the European Commission. “The DG Home Affairs of the European Commission, together with the Swedish Ministry of Justice, has sent a letter to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to ask if they would be willing to attend a technical-level meeting here in Brussels,” he explained.
This is the second meeting of 2026 with the relevant Afghan authorities on this matter, following a technical meeting already held in Afghanistan in January and comes “in response to an initiative by 20 Schengen Member States and associated countries last October.” At the time, the main driving force was Austria and Sweden, two EU countries leading the call to return to Afghanistan irregular migrants and those who have committed serious crimes. The returns in question concern people who do not have “the right to remain in the Union and who pose a threat to security,” clarified the spokesperson, who also pointed out that “every return decision is taken by the Member States’ authorities on a case-by-case basis; this is a national competence.”
But this time it’s a home game: the invitation is for Brussels. Even before the last meeting, the European Commission had expressed its regret at having to engage in dialogue with governments it does not recognise and openly criticises. Contacts with the de facto Afghan authorities, in fact, “in no way constitute recognition” of the Taliban. There is a “Council mandate to maintain operational engagement with the de facto authorities in Afghanistan,” the EU Commission spokesperson reassured. Such meetings serve to “facilitate contacts, monitor the situation, assist Member States and continue to provide support for the benefit of the Afghan people.”
The framework, he added, is the one set out in the conclusions of the 2021 Council , “reaffirmed in March 2023,” which state that “the EU and its Member States will do everything possible to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not give rise to new security threats for EU citizens” and further that “the EU and its Member States are determined to act jointly to prevent a recurrence of the large-scale, uncontrolled illegal migration flows that have occurred in the past, by developing an orderly and coordinated response. Incentives for illegal migration should be avoided. Unified and coordinated external, but also internal, communication is essential.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
