Taliban envoy to lead delegation to Brussels for talks

Quick summary

A Taliban delegation led by foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi will travel to Brussels for talks with EU officials, continuing the group's efforts to establish diplomatic relations with Western governments despite remaining unrecognised by most countries.

Why it matters

The visit signals the Taliban's growing diplomatic push in Europe, which could affect international aid flows to Afghanistan, visa and travel policies for Afghan refugees, and the EU's stance on engaging with the Taliban government—decisions that ripple through trade, humanitarian access, and migration patterns affecting the region.

Key takeaways

• ›Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman, will lead the delegation to Brussels.
• ›The Taliban remains unrecognised by most countries despite seeking to normalise Western relations since returning to power in 2021.
• ›The specific agenda for EU talks has not been publicly disclosed.
• ›The visit represents another step in Taliban diplomatic outreach to Western capitals from a position of international isolation over human rights concerns.