Sweden and EU to Host Islamic Emirate Delegation in Brussels to Discuss Migrant Returns
Sweden and the European Commission have confirmed plans to host a technical delegation from the Islamic Emirate in Brussels before the summer. The meeting will focus on coordinating the return of Afghan nationals currently residing in Europe.
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell publicly affirmed Sweden’s role in facilitating the upcoming dialogue between European authorities and the Islamic Emirate. According to Forssell, the talks will include representatives from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, Belgium, and several other EU member states. The initiative builds on a joint European delegation visit to Kabul in January 2026, which laid the groundwork for renewed technical engagement.
While the primary agenda centers on migration management and the repatriation of Afghan citizens, European officials have also indicated that the discussions may serve as a broader step toward reestablishing diplomatic channels. Belgium has played a notable role in advancing the initiative, with multiple European nations expected to participate in the Brussels session.
The upcoming talks occur against a backdrop of ongoing international debate regarding the Islamic Emirate’s diplomatic status. Despite the absence of formal international recognition and continued scrutiny over domestic policies, European authorities have pursued practical cooperation on migration and regional stability. Officials from both sides have emphasized that the Brussels meeting will remain technical in nature, focusing on logistical arrangements and bilateral coordination rather than formal political recognition.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Where reports agree
- Sweden and the EU are coordinating a technical meeting in Brussels with an Islamic Emirate delegation before summer.
- The primary agenda is the coordination of Afghan migrant/refugee returns.
- Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell is the named official confirming the initiative.
- Belgium and other EU states will participate in the talks.
Where reports differ
- Minor discrepancy in the spelling of the Swedish minister's name (Johan vs. Jon).
- Ariana News explicitly frames the talks around 'deportation' and cites a prior January 2026 EU-Belgium visit to Kabul, while Omid Radio frames it as 'resuming relations' and attributes the initiative primarily to Belgium without mentioning the prior visit.
More in International
EU Special Representative Visits Kabul for Talks with Taliban Officials
US Senator Condemns Reported Plan to Relocate Afghan Allies to Congo
Zelensky Urges European Union to Release 90 Billion Euro Aid Package
Afghan Health Minister, Russian Ambassador Discuss Medical Cooperation in Kabul
ReliableEU Special Representative Visits Kabul for Talks with Taliban Officials
EU Special Representative Gilles Bertrand met with Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Naeem in Kabul to discuss expanding bilateral ties, shifting aid toward development, and increasing Afghan exports to Europe. Both sides reaffirmed dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the foundation for future cooperation.
ReliableUS Senator Condemns Reported Plan to Relocate Afghan Allies to Congo
US Senator Chris Coons condemned a reported Trump administration plan to relocate 1,100 Afghan war allies from Qatar to the Republic of Congo or return them to Afghanistan. Advocacy groups warn that repatriation would expose the group, which includes hundreds of children and former interpreters, to Taliban retaliation.
ReliableZelensky Urges European Union to Release 90 Billion Euro Aid Package
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the European Union to release a 90-billion-euro aid package, stating that Kyiv has met all required conditions, including the restoration of a key oil pipeline. He emphasized that the funds are critical for maintaining economic stability and government operations during the ongoing war.
ReliableAfghan Health Minister, Russian Ambassador Discuss Medical Cooperation in Kabul
Afghan Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali and Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov met in Kabul to expand bilateral health cooperation, focusing on medical training, affordable medicine imports, and pharmaceutical investment.