On Saturday 18 October, Belgium sent the Commission a letter relaying its call, along with 19 other States, for a coordinated European approach to the return of Afghan nationals in an irregular situation and Afghans who have committed crimes.
On 14 October, the interior ministers of the Member States had called for joint action on this issue (see EUROPE 13730/3), and on 20 October, the Commission confirmed that it had received this letter, which had also been signed by the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway.
It explained that it had already been in contact with the Taliban regime since the beginning of the year. The Commission has been conducting “exploratory contacts at technical level” with the Afghan authorities for several months on the issue of returns, and is already seeking to ensure coordination at EU level.
In particular, Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt is asking the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen Frontex’s coordinating role in the voluntary return and reintegration of Afghan nationals, and is encouraging the European Commission to take forward work on the possibilities for forced return, giving priority to people who pose a threat to public order or national security.
In 2024, 22,870 Afghans were the subject of a return decision in the EU, but only 435 returned to their country of origin, a return rate of just 2%, the letter says.
Further information: https://aeur.eu/f/j1k (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)