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EU confirms contact with Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over migrant returns
EU confirms contact with Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over migrant returns
The European Union has confirmed it has opened preliminary communication with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) as part of efforts to increase the deportation of failed Afghan asylum seekers from Europe.
EU spokesperson Markus Lammert told reporters in Brussels on Monday that the European Commission had begun “exploratory contacts at technical level” with the IEA authorities in Kabul earlier this year to improve coordination among member states on migration returns.
The move follows growing pressure from within the bloc, after 20 EU member states — led by Belgium — signed a joint letter urging Brussels to engage with the IEA to facilitate both voluntary and forced repatriations.
“We are unable to return irregular Afghan nationals, even after a conviction,” Belgian migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt said in a statement. “This undermines public trust in asylum policy and affects our collective security. It is time for Europe to act together.”
The letter was also signed by Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. Many of these countries have been calling for a tougher stance on migration amid growing domestic concern and the rise of hard-right political movements across Europe.
According to EU data, fewer than 20 percent of migrants ordered to leave the 27-member bloc are returned to their countries of origin.
Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, told AFP that member states could share resources to facilitate deportations.
“There could be joint planes to Afghanistan,” he said, adding that an EU team had already held technical discussions in Kabul. “We need to find common solutions here.”
The EU continues to maintain a limited diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, though Brussels has stressed that such engagement “does not bestow any legitimacy” on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Contacts have so far been confined to areas such as humanitarian assistance and development.
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Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan boost trade and digital finance ties
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, has met with a high-level Kyrgyz delegation led by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakhyt Sydykov to discuss expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in digital financial services.
During the meeting, Hanafi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to deepen ties with Kyrgyzstan, stressing the importance of developing electronic administration systems and modern banking channels to facilitate trade and financial transactions between the two countries.
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives. He also pointed to potential cooperation in areas such as the printing of securities and the development of electronic payment systems.
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India reaffirms healthcare support to Afghanistan, hands over medicines and vaccines
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of essential medicines.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a productive meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the health sector and addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people.
During the meeting, a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was carried out, reflecting India’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The ministry also announced that a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is being dispatched to Afghanistan as part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts.
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
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Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Security sources said that special forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have targeted a hideout in Badakhshan province linked to suspects involved in attacks against Chinese nationals in neighboring Tajikistan.
According to the sources, the operation was carried out on Tuesday night in Faizabad city, where several individuals suspected of orchestrating cross-border attacks from Badakhshan’s frontier regions were believed to be present. As a result of the operation, one wanted suspect was arrested alive along with weapons and other military equipment.
The sources added that preliminary investigations and initial confessions by the detainee indicate the planning of the attacks was carried out from outside Afghanistan.
This comes as Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 27 that three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Khatlon province.
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