France has begun talks with ا.ا.ا to make it easier to send back Afghan nationals who have no legal right to stay in the country, a diplomatic source told the French news agency AFP on Wednesday.
According to the source, a "technical dialogue" has been launched, as in other European countries, to facilitate the direct removal to Afghanistan of Afghans in an irregular situation who are deemed a threat to public order. Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that the source described the move as necessary to ensure the safety of French citizens.
The diplomatic source did not say how many people could be deported, but another source familiar with the matter said the number could run into the "hundreds". France 24, citing the source, said the practical arrangements were still being studied.
France has had no diplomatic relations with Kabul since August 2021, and its embassy there remains closed. According to AFP, France has joined around 20 European Union countries, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden, that want to speed up the return of Afghans, particularly those convicted by courts.
The source stressed that the talks do not change France's position on Afghanistan and that Paris will maintain its support for the Afghan people, especially Afghan women. The French foreign ministry did not respond when asked whether representatives of ا.ا.ا would be allowed to visit France to speed up procedures. Afghanistan International reported that the ministry has not yet officially confirmed the start of the talks.
Source: AFP (via 24 News HD, RFI and France 24), Afghanistan International
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