INTERNATIONAL — June 19, 2026
Belgium Says It Cannot Prevent EU from Holding Talks with Afghan Delegation
Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot told parliament that the European Commission organized the session on migrant returns and that Belgium lacks power to halt it as host nation.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with ToloNews — corroborated by Ariana News — 2 min read
Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that his country cannot block an upcoming European Union meeting with an Afghan delegation in Brussels, even though he personally opposes the invitation.
Prévot told parliament that the European Commission is organizing the talks to address the return of Afghan migrants. As the host of EU institutions, Belgium has no authority to stop the session, he said. The minister stressed that the meeting would not represent recognition of the Afghan government.
Visa applications for the delegation have undergone security review, though reports differ on whether those checks are complete or still ongoing. Some Belgian lawmakers criticized the planned talks, arguing they conflict with the European Union's human rights policies on Afghanistan.
The sources agree on the minister's core position and the non-recognition stance but vary on the precise status of the visa process and the extent of domestic criticism.
Read the original reporting at ToloNews →
Reliability assessment
Two independent sources corroborate the core event: on-record statements by named Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot regarding the EU meeting. 'X said Y' is directly attributable and verifiable regardless of topic sensitivity.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- Belgium says it cannot prevent Afghan delegation from attending EU talks in Brussels | Ariana News | Afghanistan Newsariananews.af
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, has said his government cannot block an Afghan delegation from traveling to Brussels for European Union-hosted talks, despite his personal opposition to inviting representatives of Afghanistan’s ...
- KT | Belgium Cannot Block EU-Hosted Taliban Talks in Brussels, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Saysthekabultribune.com
Anadolu Agency reported that Belgium’s foreign minister has said the country cannot prevent planned European Union-hosted talks with Taliban envoys in Brussels, despite his personal opposition.
Although Belgium lacks the legal means to prevent European institutions from inviting foreign delegations to meetings in Brussels, the minister’s intervention is highly significant.
Belgium's Foreign Ministry has informed Afghanistan International that decisions on holding meetings and inviting delegations rest with European institutions. Laurens Soenen, spokesperson for Belgium's Foreign Ministry, said European institutions ...
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Belgian FM Maxime Prévot personally opposes the invitation but cannot block the EU-organized meeting.
- The meeting is not recognition of the Afghan government.
- The European Commission is organizing the meeting regarding Afghan migrant returns.
- Visa requests are under security review by Belgian authorities.
Where reports differ
- Visa status reported as 'security checks completed' (Ariana) vs 'under review' (ToloNews).
- ToloNews reports specific parliamentary criticism and mentions migrants 'accused of crimes'; Ariana News omits both details.
Filed by 2 outlets
ToloNews
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Ariana News
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
International — Belgium, European Union, Islamic Emirate, Afghan migrants, Maxime Prévot
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