The Taliban used a landmark visit to Brussels on Tuesday to press EU officials to restart consular services for Afghans across Europe.

The delegation, led by Afghan foreign ministry communications chief Abdul Qahar Balkhi, discussed measures aimed at “restarting broad-range consular services for Afghans in EU zone”, Balkhi said in a statement shared with Euractiv.

The controversial visit comes as the Taliban seek a larger diplomatic role in Europe. Most Afghan embassies on the continent remain staffed by diplomats appointed before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with Germany the only European country to have accepted Taliban-appointed diplomats.

“This was a historic visit as first time ever that delegation from Islamic Emirate visited the EU and held talks with member states in Brussels,” Balkhi said in the statement. “We hope to build positive momentum to safeguard the consular rights of Afghans residing abroad.”

Euractiv was first to report in April that Taliban representatives were expected in Brussels for talks with EU and national officials on the possible deportation of Afghan nationals convicted of crimes and deemed security threats, at the invitation of the European Commission and some EU countries.

Balkhi – a key representative of the Taliban government since it returned to power – said the talks also covered arrangements for a “dignified” return process for Afghans being deported from the EU.

EXCLUSIVE: Brussels to host Taliban in talks on Afghan deportations

A Taliban delegation is expected in Brussels before the summer for highly sensitive talks with…

3 minutes

The delegation secured one-day visas only on Monday, ahead of the one-day talks in Brussels.

A Commission spokesperson told Euractiv in a statement that “the Commission services and Sweden co-chaired a technical-level meeting today in Brussels with technical level representatives of the de facto authorities of Afghanistan responsible for return and readmission.

“15 Member States participated, allowing for a follow up to technical discussions that had taken place in January 2026 in Kabul, in particular with regards to the identification of returnees, the issuance of travel documents and their return. The focus was on persons who have committed serious crimes and who pose a security threat.”

The precise location of the talks was kept secret, with the Commission citing security concerns. Euractiv previously reported that the talks were likely to be held in a neutral venue, such as a hotel, rather than on EU premises.

On the EU side, officials from the Commission’s migration department attended the talks. EU officials previously told Euractiv that no EU politicians would take part to avoid any perception of formal recognition of the Taliban government.

(vc)

This article has been updated.