20 states urge European Commission to deport Afghan nationals living illegally in Europe

A group of 20 European countries has called on the European Commission to take concrete steps toward deporting Afghan nationals living illegally in the EU, either voluntarily or through forced repatriation.

According to EuroNews, a joint appeal also demands talks with the Taliban regime in this regard.

The appeal, spearheaded by Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, has been supported by a coalition of EU member states and Norway. The countries that support the appeal include Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden.

In a letter to EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, the coalition urged Brussels to prioritise the return of undocumented Afghan nationals and to explore formal negotiations with Taliban authorities to facilitate this process. Van Bossuyt has proposed enhancing the role of Frontex—the EU’s border and coast guard agency—in managing voluntary returns under the bloc’s Reintegration Programme.

For those who refuse to return or are deemed a threat, the letter suggested a coordinated effort involving the Commission, EU diplomatic services (EEAS), and member states to carry out enforced deportations.

The deportation of Afghan nationals remains a contentious issue. Since the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021, most countries have refrained from formal engagement with the regime. Russia remains the only nation to officially recognise the Taliban government.