An Afghan delegation led by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi traveled to Brussels and held discussions with European Union member states on the resumption of consular services for Afghans living in Europe, as well as confidence-building measures between the two sides.
In a post on X, Balkhi stated that during the visit, discussions were also held with European officials regarding the challenges faced by Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected and who are currently experiencing various difficulties.
He expressed hope that the visit would not only open new avenues for positive engagement but also help address the problems faced by Afghans residing in Europe.
He added: “In multilateral and bilateral meetings with European Union member states, we discussed the resumption of consular services for Afghans living in Europe, confidence-building measures, effective representation, and ways to address the problems of Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected and who are facing difficulties. It is hoped that this visit will open new paths for positive engagement, strengthen efforts to address the concerns of Afghans living abroad, and expand cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests.”
Deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zia Ahmad Takal, said: “There were discussions with the European Union on both bilateral and multilateral issues. One of the main topics was the provision of consular services for Afghans living in Europe, as well as the protection of their rights and the facilitation of additional services for them. We hope these visits will continue, exchanges of delegations will increase, and that the effective presence of representatives of the Afghan government in Europe will help provide necessary services to Afghans living there and strengthen ties between Afghanistan and Europe, paving the way for constructive engagement.”
Meanwhile, Zakir Jalali, the Second Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Afghan delegation’s visit to Europe could lay the groundwork for sustained engagement and enable Afghans living in Europe to benefit from reliable services and stronger connections with their homeland.
Jalali stated: “I hope this visit will pave the way for more practical and sustainable engagement based on mutual respect and shared interests. It should also help ensure that Afghans living in Europe can access reliable services and maintain effective communication and connections with their home country.”
From a political perspective, expectations regarding the Afghan delegation’s visit are high. According to analysts, the visit could create opportunities for broader engagement between Afghanistan and the European Union and help foster an atmosphere of trust.
Political analyst Shahzada Massoud said: “In my view, the very fact that the delegation has traveled is significant. Secondly, the European Union’s invitation to such a delegation itself opens the door for engagement. I hope that, in addition to addressing the concerns of Afghans abroad—which is undoubtedly the main agenda—the visit can also pave the way for broader political interactions in the future.”
The purpose of the Afghan delegation’s visit to Brussels, led by the Fourth Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was reported to be the resumption of consular services for Afghans living in Europe, addressing their concerns, and holding bilateral meetings with European Union member states.
