Sweden Facilitates New EU Talks with Taliban on Afghan Migrant Returns
Sweden has confirmed its key role in facilitating new contacts between the European Union and Taliban authorities, aimed at coordinating the process of returning Afghan migrants. A technical delegation from Kabul is scheduled to travel to Brussels before the start of summer to engage in meetings with European officials regarding migrant expulsions.
According to Johan Forssell, Sweden’s Minister for Migration, the country, together with the European Commission, will invite a technical delegation from the Taliban administration to continue technical negotiations in Brussels. He did not provide further details about the delegation’s level or the precise framework of potential agreements.
European officials have said that representatives from the European Commission, the EU’s External Action Service, and several member states including Belgium and Sweden will be present at the meetings. The main focus of these talks is on the operational mechanisms for the return of migrants.
These developments come as the Taliban administration remains unrecognized by the international community and faces serious criticism due to widespread human rights restrictions, especially concerning the education of women and girls. Critics argue that any interaction with the Taliban must consider the human rights situation and ensure the protection of returnees.
Planning for this meeting followed a joint EU-Belgian delegation visit to Kabul in January this year, a trip aimed at continuing technical consultations. The EU has previously announced informal contacts with Taliban authorities through its diplomatic channels, focusing on facilitating the return of migrants.
