According to Euractiv, Belgium has spearheaded an initiative to allow the voluntary and forced return of Afghan citizens who have no legal right to remain in the European Union. The letter, obtained by Euractiv, was signed by 20 European governments and addressed to Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
According to the document, the Union "can no longer afford inaction" and must act, especially in the case of those Afghans who are considered a threat to public order. The letter also calls for better coordination between the European Commission, its diplomatic service (EEAS) and individual member states. The signatories also propose the creation of a joint EU mission to Afghanistan to help re-establish contact with the administrative authorities in Kabul.
Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt according to Euractiv, said that "Europe now has a window of opportunity to act" and that "the time has come for a decisive and coordinated response to help the EU regain control over migration and security".
The letter also proposes to strengthen the role of Frontex, which should organise not only returns but also reintegration programmes for returnees in their home countries. Currently, individual governments pay for their own returns, which, according to the signatories, leads to "fragmented and costly approaches". According to Euractiv, Frontex's mandate is due to be reviewed in 2026.
In addition to Belgium, the 20 signatories include Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden.
As Euractiv reminded, Germany is already acting independently - Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that Berlin is close to an agreement with the Taliban authorities to resume regular deportation flights, even though Germany does not officially recognise the Taliban. Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised to speed up the deportation of those convicted of crimes, according to German media.
According to the Czech daily Seznam Zprávy, the Czech Republic also joined the letter. The Czech Interior Ministry said that "shares the need for a common European procedure for the return of persons who do not meet the conditions for residence".
The whole initiative follows a broader European debate on the tightening of asylum and return policies, which has intensified this year also due to discussions on possible returns of Syrians. As Euractiv pointed out, several member states - such as Denmark, Italy and Austria - had already called on the EU in May to better balance human rights protection and national security concerns.
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