New immigration policy: Belgium targets Turkey, Congo, and Afghanistan
Belgium is preparing to launch new diplomatic missions to negotiate repatriation agreements with Turkey and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as part of a stricter asylum policy focused on voluntary and forced returns. This initiative is led by Minister Annelies Verlinden.
The government has made direct negotiations with countries of origin a top priority for 2025, describing this approach as based on the principle of give and take. Officials confirmed that countries refusing to cooperate in the repatriation of migrants may lose some forms of Belgian support.
The Belgian immigration office, headed by Freddy Rosmont, is organizing visits to both Turkey and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to discuss the practical arrangements for the repatriation of migrants. These talks focus on the executive procedures and coordination among the relevant authorities.
The visits will also include awareness campaigns in the countries of origin to deter irregular migration. Belgian officials say that many believe the promises of human traffickers who portray life in Europe as easy, while the reality consists of strict laws, lengthy procedures, and uncertain outcomes.
Afghanistan is also a key focus in Belgian return policy. Belgian and European officials have recently held talks with Taliban authorities regarding the repatriation of Afghan citizens, and a Taliban representative is expected to visit Brussels soon. Afghans were the largest group of asylum seekers in Belgium last year, with their applications increasing by 11 percent, raising concerns among human rights organizations about cooperation with repressive regimes.