Magnus Brunner, the European Union’s Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, has confirmed that the bloc is currently engaged in discussions with the Taliban to facilitate the deportation of migrants from Afghanistan.
“Technical talks are already underway. I’m willing to negotiate with anyone. We will take every possible step to ease the deportation process. I will not shy away from dialogue,” Brunner said.
However, the EU official emphasized that negotiations with the Taliban should not be interpreted as recognition of what he described as “a terrorist regime.” He added, “We are not recognizing any of the regimes we are negotiating with regarding deportations.”
Brunner also noted that the EU is working on a reform of its migration and asylum systems, set to take effect in 2026.
“This reform should have happened sooner,” he said. “And even now, we need to move faster. We simply cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Read more: “The Taliban’s Path into European Diplomacy: Is Karzai the Missing Link Between Berlin and the Taliban?”
