Taliban delegation comes to Brussels but only for one day

Belgium granted visas Monday afternoon to a Taliban delegation for a mission to the European Commission. They are valid for only one day, according to the office of Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Furthermore, they are valid only for Belgium and not for the entire Schengen Area.

Analyses conducted by the State Security Service and the General Intelligence and Security Service (SGRS) found no information indicating that these individuals – five men, it is said- posed a threat to the country's security.

The date of the visit is not being disclosed for security reasons, the Belgian minister's office stated, referring inquiries to the European Commission for further information. EU sources say the day is tomorrow/Tuesday.

The delegation's visit to Brussels has been a source of controversy for several weeks. In May, the European Commission announced its "intention to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for discussions concerning the return of migrants to Afghanistan." The Commission maintains that this meeting will take place at a "technical level" and not directly with government leaders. However, this initiative has sparked outrage among NGOs due to the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Taliban regime. It also implies engaging in dialogue with the Taliban authorities, who returned to power in 2021 but are not officially recognized by the EU.

Prévot explained that he disapproved of such an invitation but that, as the host state of the European institutions, Belgium could not refuse to grant the requested visas.

_{| © BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER}