France opens technical talks with Taliban to speed deportations of irregular Afghans

France has launched a technical dialogue with the Taliban aimed at easing the direct return of Afghan nationals residing irregularly in France who are viewed as threats to public safety. This effort aligns France with roughly twenty EU countries, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden, that are pushing to speed up expulsions, especially of those convicted by the courts. Despite having no formal diplomatic relations since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover and keeping its Kabul embassy closed, France says the talks do not alter its overall position on Afghanistan.

German authorities have recently permitted Taliban officials to travel to Germany for “technical” discussions, raising the prospect of similar visits to France, though the French foreign ministry declined to comment. Sources estimate that “hundreds” of Afghans could be affected, but did not provide precise numbers. The initiative has attracted criticism from human-rights groups and left-wing politicians over engaging with an unrecognized regime that imposes strict Sharia law, particularly against women.