Brussels Opens "Operational Channels" with Kabul: Security Deportations Top 2026 EU Migration Priorities

 The European Commission detailed technical talks with Kabul in April 2026 to organize large-scale deportations of security-risk individuals. While Brussels maintains a firm "no recognition" policy toward the Taliban, operational channels have been opened to meet EU migration security goals. Spokesperson Anwar Al-Anouni emphasized that these contacts are strictly functional and authorized by the EU Council. This marks a strategic shift in 2026, where member states exercise sovereign deportation rights under international law while maintaining political distance. The technical success of these missions remains a priority for European interior ministers amidst the complex 2026 geopolitical landscape.