The Taliban have not submitted applications for Belgian visas connected to a potential discussion with the European Commission regarding returns to Afghanistan.

"We have not received any request for a Belgian visa, meaning no visas have been issued since no application has arrived so far," stated Laurens Soenen, spokesperson for Belgium's foreign ministry.

The EU Commission has described the planned session with Afghan leaders as a technical discussion to prevent any suggestion of official recognition for the Taliban.

The commission also connected the anticipated talks to an initiative from 20 EU and Schengen countries aimed at improving coordination for returning Afghans to Kabul.

In comments to EUobserver on Monday (8 June), Soenen noted that visa processing would require a minimum of four weeks, prompting doubts about whether the Taliban can attend in Brussels this month.

Soenen added that Belgium's foreign affairs minister, Maxime Prévot, will not join any sessions involving the Taliban group.

"Belgian officials are also highly unlikely to attend the meetings," he stated, while observing that officials from other EU nations might choose to participate.

Sweden appears among the interested parties, since it joined the commission last month in extending the invitation for the Taliban to visit Brussels.

The commission declined on Monday to address any recent updates.

In April, a commission spokesperson described the talks as focused on individuals without legal residence rights in the union who represent a security concern.

Yet this description seems somewhat inconsistent with other statements.

Johannes Luchner, deputy director-general of the commission's home affairs division, met Taliban representatives in Afghanistan during January.

Luchner indicated the goal involves returning offenders, while also suggesting additional individuals might be included later.