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Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Afghan Taliban Engage in Rare Closed-Door Talks with EU on Deportation Policies

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Afghan Taliban Engage in Rare Closed-Door Talks with EU on Deportation Policies

BRUSSELS — A delegation from the Afghan Taliban is in Brussels on Tuesday for confidential discussions with European Union officials, focusing primarily on deportation procedures, according to a Taliban representative.

Human rights organizations raised concerns that the talks could compromise the EU’s commitment to human rights standards, potentially affecting vulnerable individuals in both Europe and Afghanistan.

Belgium has granted the Taliban delegation 24-hour visas, which includes Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a representative from the Taliban’s foreign affairs department who was born in New Zealand.

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