European governments are stepping up engagement with Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate (IEA) authorities over the deportation of migrants, economic assistance and diplomatic representation, despite continuing to withhold formal recognition of the administration, France 24 reports.

The report draws on an investigation by Elian Peltier, The New York Times’ Pakistan and Afghanistan bureau chief, who says European officials are meeting IEA representatives more frequently than is widely known.

The growing contacts highlight the tension between Europe’s official policy of non-recognition and its practical efforts to address migration and other issues involving Afghanistan.

However, the prospect of returning Afghan migrants has raised concerns among United Nations experts and human rights organisations, which have warned about the risks of deportation under IEA rule, particularly given restrictions on fundamental rights.

Afghanistan’s persistent economic crisis adds to these concerns, with limited employment opportunities, widespread hardship and difficulties accessing basic necessities potentially leaving returnees struggling to rebuild their lives.

The developments underscore the challenge facing European governments as they seek to manage migration while weighing humanitarian concerns and the conditions awaiting deportees in Afghanistan.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has hit back at US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over remarks downplaying NATO allies’ contributions to the Afghanistan war, urging him to remember the Polish personnel who died fighting alongside American forces.

Hegseth recently questioned the extent of allied combat contributions during the Afghanistan mission, suggesting that only a small number of countries had played a significant role. He also joked that ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force, stood for “I Saw Americans Fighting.”

Sikorski responded by challenging Hegseth to repeat his remarks to the families of the 44 Polish personnel killed during the mission, including those who served in Ghazni province.

Jan Grabiec, head of the Polish prime minister’s office, also condemned the comments, saying the sacrifices of allied troops should not be mocked.

Poland took part in the US-led military operation from 2001 until the withdrawal of international forces in 2021.

More than 33,000 Polish soldiers and defence personnel served in Afghanistan over nearly two decades.

According to the report, 43 Polish soldiers and one civilian paramedic were killed, while more than 200 Polish personnel were wounded.

The Afghanistan mission marked the first and only time NATO invoked Article 5, its collective defence clause, following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

More than 1,000 NATO service members were killed during the mission, including 44 Poles.

The dispute has renewed debate over the contributions and sacrifices of NATO allies during the two-decade conflict, in which forces from across the alliance served alongside the United States.

Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Islamic Emirate, says sports and recreation are among human needs and that people should make time for them, whether they are involved in politics or education.

He made the remarks on Sunday while attending matches of the Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) at the Afghanistan Football Federation stadium in Kabul. He described the participation of foreign players in the competition as an important step forward for Afghan football.

“Whether a person is engaged in education or politics, they need to make time for sports and recreation. For us, this was also a very enjoyable atmosphere and experience,” Haqqani said.

He added that he is passionate about football and volleyball, has professional knowledge of football, and continues to practise volleyball. He also said he had experience playing and training in cricket.

Haqqani said Afghanistan has the capacity to grow in various sectors and would not face problems similar to those experienced during the presence of the Soviet Union and the United States in the country.

“Afghanistan has the capacity to make progress in every field and compete with other nations in every sector,” he said.