France opens talks with Taliban administration on deporting Afghan migrants
Agence France-Presse, citing a diplomatic source, reports that France has begun talks with the Taliban administration to pave the way for the direct deportation of Afghans living in France without legal status.
According to the source, the aim of the “technical dialogue” is to speed up the return of people France considers a threat to public order. The talks come as Paris has maintained no formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban administration since its return to power in August 2021, and the French embassy in Kabul remains closed.
At the same time, the source says France, along with about 20 European Union member states, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden, is seeking to accelerate the return of Afghans, especially those convicted of crimes.
The diplomatic source did not specify how many people could be affected by the process, but another source familiar with the matter told AFP the figure could be in the “hundreds.”
The French foreign ministry did not respond to questions about whether representatives of the Taliban administration could travel to France to advance the deportation process.
The source stressed that the current talks do not amount to a change in France’s overall position on Afghanistan. He added that France continues to support the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women.
The Taliban administration, which has not been formally recognised by the European Union, has sought to expand engagement and win international legitimacy since August 2021. Previously, a June meeting between Taliban officials and several EU lawmakers drew criticism from human rights groups and left-wing groups in the European Parliament.
