INTERNATIONAL — June 13, 2026
European Commission and Sweden Invite Taliban Spokesperson to Brussels Talks on Afghan Returns
The technical talks are scheduled for 22 and 23 June 2026 in Brussels and will address the return of Afghan nationals without legal residency in EU and Schengen countries.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
The European Commission and the Swedish Ministry of Justice have officially invited Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Taliban Foreign Ministry, along with two team members to attend technical talks.
The meetings are scheduled to take place in Brussels on 22 and 23 June 2026. The agenda centers on the return and readmission of Afghan citizens who lack legal residency rights in European Union and Schengen countries.
The invitation letter is signed by the Deputy Director General for International Affairs and Migration of the European Commission and the Director General for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Ministry of Justice. Belgian authorities will process the required visas for the delegation.
Travel arrangements may route the group through Turkey owing to complications with transit via Pakistan.
The invitation follows a European Parliament resolution adopted on 21 May 2026 that condemned the criminal code implemented by the Taliban. The resolution passed by a vote of 480 to 5 with 83 abstentions and urged continued non-recognition of the Taliban authorities.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct details from an obtained official letter including named signatory positions, specific dates (22-23 June 2026), location (Brussels), and named invitee; the verifiable fact is the reported existence and content of the letter.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: "widespread criticism from human rights institutions", "extensive restrictions against women and girls", "strongly condemned" - these phrases introduce evaluative language framing the Taliban negatively and highlighting human rights concerns in a manner that mixes reporting with opinionated judgment.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- The EU is inviting the Taliban to Brussels. Europe’s credibility lies in tatters | Shada Islam | The Guardiantheguardian.com
For the first time, the EU Commission’s home affairs directorate is preparing to host talks in Brussels with a delegation of Taliban representatives from Afghanistan. Against warnings that the invitation risks legitimising a regime the EU does not even formally recognise, officials insist that the discussions are merely “technical”
The EU has invited Taliban representatives to Brussels for technical talks on deportations, which could take place before the summer
- No option but to talk to Taliban about migrant returns, EU's migration commissoner says | Euronewseuronews.com
The European Commission has invited Taliban officials for discussions under a push to crack down on irregular migration and boost deportations, despite it not formally recognising the Taliban administration.
the EU had sent an invitation to Taliban authorities in Kabul to participate in discussions in Brussels related to the return and deportation of Afghan migrants from Europe.
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International — European Union, Taliban, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Deportations, Brussels
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