EU Invites Taliban to Migration Talks, Reversing Years of Isolation

Belgium granted visas for a Taliban delegation to Brussels on June 22, 2026—the EU's first official engagement with the group. The bloc needs Taliban cooperation to deport rejected Afghan asylum seekers. Afghanistan issues no travel documents for deportees, and commercial flights require Kabul's approval. Without this leverage, deportations stall. Brussels has concluded direct talks more effective than continued deadlock.