Sweden’s migration minister on Thursday called on the European Union to establish a common procedure for issuing identification and travel documents to Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected or who have committed crimes in their host countries.

Minister Johan Forssell said it is currently “more or less impossible” to deport Afghan nationals who do not meet asylum criteria because many lack valid ID or travel documents.

Although the EU has no interest in making “any political arrangements” that could lend legitimacy to Afghanistan’s rulers, Forssell said the bloc’s 27 member states could still reach a technical agreement to issue documentation that would speed up deportations.

“It is a major concern for us that we are seeing quite a few cases of people that have committed crimes, Afghan people that committed crimes in Sweden, and it is more or less impossible to expel them today,” Forssell told The Associated Press on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in the Cypriot capital.

“If you come to Europe and you commit crimes, you have chosen yourself not to be part of our society. And we need to do everything we can to make sure that you are expelled,” he said.

Forssell added that similar challenges exist with failed Syrian asylum seekers, but said Afghan nationals remain the priority.

He said Afghan nationals are largely unable to obtain IDs or passports from their home country because most Afghan embassies in Europe are not recognized by the Islamic Emirate authorities. Forssell noted that the EU’s executive arm has recently had contacts in Kabul on the issue, describing it as a “very positive first step.”

According to him, there is “broad consensus” among many EU countries facing similar challenges to take further steps to accelerate the deportation of failed Afghan asylum seekers or those who have committed crimes.

Forssell said more than half of Afghan asylum applications are expected to be rejected and that “they need to go back home,” warning that public support for accepting refugees who do meet asylum criteria could erode otherwise.

He also proposed that Afghan nationals facing deportation in different EU countries could be grouped together and returned on chartered flights.

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said EU member states are engaging at a technical level with Afghanistan’s “effective authorities” to better facilitate repatriations.

Sweden’s traditionally generous asylum policy has tightened over the past decade, amid what Forssell described as growing public concern over the “problems” associated with mass migration. He said these concerns played a key role in the formation of the current government three years ago, which relies on support from the hard-right Sweden Democrats.

Forssell noted that asylum applications in Sweden are at their lowest level since 1985. “So I think we are doing very well and we are really delivering what the Swedish population wants to see from us,” he said.

US President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from allies after claiming NATO forces remained “off the frontlines” during the war in Afghanistan, remarks widely described as inaccurate and offensive by politicians and military veterans.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump repeated long-standing criticisms of the NATO alliance, saying he was not “sure” it would support the United States in a future conflict.

“We’ve never needed them,” Trump said. “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan — and they did — they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.”

The comments prompted swift backlash from NATO partners who fought alongside US forces following the September 11, 2001 attacks — the only time NATO has invoked Article 5, its collective defence clause.

Following 9/11, NATO allies joined the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, a conflict that lasted two decades and resulted in heavy casualties among coalition forces. The United States lost 2,461 service members, while allied nations suffered 1,160 fatalities. The United Kingdom recorded the second-highest death toll, with 457 military personnel killed.

Sky News US correspondent David Blevins said the remarks would be viewed as “grossly offensive” by allied nations whose troops fought and died alongside American forces.

UK Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said Trump’s comments were “deeply disappointing” and lacked any factual basis.

“There is a long history of the British armed forces standing shoulder to shoulder with the United States,” Kinnock told Sky News. “The only time NATO’s Article 5 has ever been activated was to come to America’s aid after 9/11.”

He added that British and allied soldiers “gave their lives in support of American-led missions” and said any criticism of their sacrifice was “plainly wrong.”

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, also condemned the remarks, calling them “an insult” to the families of fallen soldiers.

“How dare he say we weren’t on the frontline,” she said during a BBC broadcast. “We have always been there whenever the Americans have asked.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey echoed the criticism, accusing Trump of questioning the sacrifices of allied troops while having avoided military service himself during the Vietnam War.

Former British Army officer and Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said Trump’s comments diminished the sacrifices made by NATO soldiers.

“I saw first-hand the horrific casualties suffered by British troops in Sangin, alongside US Marines,” he said. “These remarks do a disservice to our closest military allies.”

The controversy has reignited debate over Trump’s scepticism toward NATO, an alliance the United States helped found and has long described as central to Western collective security.

Mohammad Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of General Staff of Afghanistan’s Armed Forces, has visited the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in Qatar during an official trip, the Ministry of National Defense said.

According to the ministry, Fitrat was briefed by embassy officials on the mission’s activities, achievements, and ongoing work. He commended the embassy’s role in strengthening diplomatic relations, enhancing political coordination, and delivering consular services to Afghan nationals.

The Chief of General Staff also underscored the importance of effective diplomatic engagement and close coordination in safeguarding national interests and maintaining constructive relations with regional and international partners.

Fitrat has been in Qatar this week where he attended the Doha International Defense Exhibition.

He also held meetings with several foreign military chiefs during his official visit including the chiefs of armed forces from Argentina, Somalia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Oman, and several other countries.

Discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations, continuing mutual cooperation, and exchanging views on a number of key issues.