Published：Jun 22, 19:00Last updated：Jun 25, 17:54

EU Faces Backlash Over Taliban Talks in Brussels

Jun. 22, 2026 19:00

Taliban representatives and E.U. officials are set to meet in Brussels to discuss the issue of Afghan deportees. The meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2026. No E.U. member state recognizes the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government. The discussions may focus on border control and humanitarian concerns.

Summarized

19News

13Media

Jun. 25, 2026 13:26

The European Union is facing criticism following a visit by a Taliban delegation to Brussels. The Taliban spokesperson described the visit as a ‘trust-building’ exercise with EU member states. The delegation’s presence has sparked controversy and raised questions about the EU’s engagement with the Taliban.

Jun. 25, 2026 17:54

On June 25, 2026, The Guardian editorial criticized EU talks with the Taliban, accusing European states of prioritizing migrant returns over the rights of Afghan women and girls. The Taliban’s oppressive policies, including bans on education and work, have created a humanitarian crisis described as "gender apartheid."

The European Union's engagement with Taliban officials in Brussels has ignited fierce debate, as the June 2026 meetings focused on migrant repatriation while drawing condemnation from human rights advocates. The discussions centered on deporting Afghan migrants convicted of crimes in Europe, with Afghanistan seeking consular services and dignified return procedures. Over 36,000 Afghans received EU asylum in 2025, many arriving through eastern Mediterranean routes.ChinaNews+2

🛂 Migration Management

EU officials met Taliban representatives to establish technical procedures for returning failed asylum seekers. The talks included proposals to enhance Taliban consular services in Europe to streamline deportations. While the EU maintains it doesn't recognize the Taliban government, the meeting marked operational cooperation on migration challenges.ChinaNews+2

🚨 Rights Group Outrage

The engagement sparked immediate backlash, with critics accusing the EU of legitimizing the Taliban's oppressive regime. Afghan women's rights activists and NGOs highlighted the Taliban's gender apartheid policies, including education bans. The Guardian editorial condemned European states for prioritizing migrant returns over human rights.The Guardian+2

🌐 Diplomatic Controversy

Belgium faced scrutiny for issuing temporary visas to the five-member Taliban delegation. EU lawmakers remain divided, with some defending the pragmatic approach to migration control while others view it as a betrayal of democratic values. The Taliban framed the visit as a trust-building exercise with EU member states.France 24+2

🔥 Broader Implications

The talks represent the first high-level EU-Taliban contact since the group regained power, signaling a potential policy shift. However, the discussions have raised concerns about the EU balancing security interests against its commitment to human rights, particularly regarding Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis.The Guardian+2

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Coverage highlights the EU's first migration return talks with Afghanistan's interim government in Brussels, focusing on repatriation procedures for convicted migrants.