A Taliban delegation held talks with European Union officials in Brussels on Tuesday, marking the first such meeting since the group seized power in Afghanistan five years ago. While the EU has not formally recognized the Taliban government, officials stated the meeting aimed to facilitate the return of Afghan nationals whose asylum requests have been denied. Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the talks, arguing they legitimize the Taliban regime and its policies. The EU maintains the engagement is a pragmatic step to address migration issues and discuss humanitarian concerns. Despite the controversy, the meeting signals a willingness to establish a limited dialogue with the Taliban. No details regarding specific agreements reached during the discussions have been released. The EU continues to emphasize the importance of upholding human rights, particularly those of women and girls, in Afghanistan.