Belgium has announced that it has issued one-day visas for a five-member Taliban delegation to attend a European Union migration meeting in Brussels. A spokesperson for the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these visas are limited in both duration and territorial validity, and are valid solely for entry into Belgian territory for one day.
Two European officials have also confirmed that members of the delegation received one-day visas. According to this information, the visas are valid only for Tuesday, the 2nd of Saratan.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not disclosed further details or the exact timing of the visit, citing security considerations.
Earlier, informed sources had said that the Taliban delegation, led by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the group’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would travel from Turkey to Brussels on Tuesday.
The visit is planned for technical discussions on the return of Afghan migrants. It also marks the first time in nearly five years since the Taliban returned to power that the European Union has hosted a delegation from the group.
The holding of this meeting has drawn reactions from some human rights activists and several Afghan campaigners. Critics have expressed concern over the European Union’s decision to host a Taliban delegation.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
