Thursday, October 8, 2026 | Panah Press

France has entered technical talks with the Taliban to facilitate the return of Afghan citizens without legal residency who are considered by French authorities to pose a threat to public order.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the contacts were initiated to pave the way for the direct return of some Afghan citizens to Afghanistan. A French diplomatic source said the process focuses on people who do not have legal residency and are considered a threat to public order.

The exact number of people who could be included in the process has not been announced. However, a source close to the matter told AFP that the number could reach into the hundreds.

France had previously announced that it had begun technical-level contacts to facilitate the return of Afghans without legal residency. The French Foreign Ministry emphasized that these contacts do not mean normalizing relations with or recognizing the Taliban, and that Paris’s position on Afghanistan has not changed.

According to France’s official position, any return of Afghan citizens must be carried out within the framework of the country’s international obligations and with respect for human rights.

France has had no diplomatic relations with the Taliban since the group returned to power in August 2021, and the country’s embassy in Kabul remains closed. The French Foreign Ministry also said in its latest position that no decision has been made to establish normal relations with the Taliban and that contacts remain at the technical level.

AFP also reported that France, along with several European countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Sweden, supports accelerating the return process for some Afghan citizens without legal residency.

Meanwhile, no decision has yet been announced on the possible presence of Taliban representatives in France to advance the process of returning Afghans, and the practical details of the process are still under review.

A French diplomatic source told AFP that these technical talks do not change Paris’s position on Afghanistan and that France continues to emphasize its support for the people of Afghanistan, particularly women.

#PanahPress #France #Afghanistan #AfghanMigrants #TheTaliban #MigrantReturns