Technical Consultations in Brussels
The European Commission, Belgium, and fourteen other EU Member States participated in technical discussions with representatives of the Taliban regime on Tuesday. The consultations took place in Brussels and focused on the return of Afghans. This news was confirmed by Bruzz.
Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) had previously indicated her support for returning Afghans who are illegal or criminal. Her statement "For me, it is clear: anyone who is illegal and criminal must return as soon as possible to their country of origin, even if that is Afghanistan" underscores the Belgian position on this issue.
Belgium and EU Involvement
Belgium plays an active role in this delicate process, alongside other countries such as Sweden. It is a complex situation, given the political sensitivity surrounding the Taliban regime and the humanitarian aspects of forced returns. The discussions focus on the practical implementation of such return procedures. This could have implications for asylum procedures and migration policy across the entire European Union. Cities like Antwerp and Ghent feel the pressure of migration flows and will closely monitor the outcomes of these consultations. The Brussels-Capital Region is also dealing with the consequences of migration policy and the integration of newcomers.
The European Union aims to find a common approach to the migration crisis and the processing of asylum applications. The involvement of 15 Member States demonstrates that this is a broad European issue, with potentially far-reaching consequences for relations between the EU and Afghanistan. Discussions are focusing on the modalities of 'voluntary' return, but also on the possibilities of forced repatriation, as recently reported by De Tijd.