EU and Taliban Hold First Officially Acknowledged Closed-Door Talks, in Brussels

June 23, 2026 — A Taliban delegation held the first officially acknowledged closed-door talks with EU staff in Brussels, focused on 'dignified returns' of Afghan nationals and limited consular/diplomatic engagement. No EU member state formally recognizes the Islamic Emirate, and the EU stressed the talks were narrowly technical rather than a step toward recognition. The meeting nonetheless marked a notable expansion of Taliban engagement diplomacy with Western institutions since the 2021 takeover.