Representatives from about 20 European Union member states travelled to Kabul last week for talks on deporting asylum seekers to Afghanistan, Belgium’s state broadcaster reported Saturday.
Europe is seeking to resume the return of rejected asylum applicants, undocumented migrants and convicted criminals to Afghanistan, according to the report by Belgian broadcaster BRF.
The broadcaster said Freddy Roosemont, head of Belgium’s Office of Foreigners, was part of the delegation and flew to Kabul alongside representatives from other European countries.
The European Union has opened discussions with the Taliban aimed at facilitating deportations. European governments are seeking to establish a working arrangement under which the Taliban authorities would confirm that people deported from Europe are Afghan nationals.
Belgium’s Ministry of Asylum and Migration said the Taliban told the European delegation it was ready to cooperate in verifying the identities of those facing deportation.
