Belgium’s Asylum and Migration Minister has announced plans to visit Turkey and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a stronger effort to improve cooperation on returning migrants to their home countries. The move is part of Belgium’s broader migration strategy for the year, which focuses on what the minister described as a “give and take” approach with countries of origin.
According to the minister, countries that cooperate with Belgium on the return of their citizens who are not allowed to stay in Europe may receive stronger support in other areas, such as development partnerships. On the other hand, nations that refuse to work with Belgium on return agreements may see reduced cooperation. This signals a firmer stance by Belgian authorities as they try to manage asylum numbers and reduce irregular migration.
Freddy Roosemont, the Director-General of Belgium’s Immigration Office, confirmed that preparations are already underway for official missions to both Turkey and the DRC. Belgian officials plan to hold discussions with government authorities in those countries about how voluntary returns can be organized in a safe and structured way. In 2025, nationals from the DRC and Turkey were among the top five groups applying for asylum in Belgium, making these talks especially important.
Roosemont also stressed that many people in countries of origin do not fully understand how the asylum system in Europe works. He explained that some migrants believe the promises made by human traffickers, who often claim that life in Europe is easy and that legal stay is guaranteed. Belgian authorities say they want to improve information campaigns so that people know the real conditions, procedures, and possible outcomes before deciding to migrate.
Afghanistan is another key country in Belgium’s return policy. A technical and administrative mission to Afghanistan took place recently as part of a wider European effort. During that visit, discussions were held with the Taliban authorities in Kabul about the possibility of returning Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected. Later this year, a representative of the Afghan administration is expected to travel to Brussels for further talks with European Union officials.
Afghans continue to form the largest group of asylum seekers in Belgium. In 2025, applications from Afghan nationals increased by 11 percent. Out of more than 34,000 asylum applications submitted in Belgium, nearly 4,000 came from Afghans. A significant number of these were follow-up applications, which are allowed when new information or evidence becomes available that could affect the person’s case.
Belgium says its return policy focuses mainly on voluntary repatriation, meaning migrants choose to go back with support rather than being forcibly removed. However, human rights groups often warn that returns must be handled carefully, especially in countries facing conflict or political instability. The discussions with Turkey, the DRC, and Afghanistan are therefore likely to draw attention from both migration experts and rights organizations.
As European countries continue to face pressure from rising migration flows, Belgium’s approach shows how governments are increasingly linking migration cooperation with diplomatic and development relations. The planned visits and negotiations in the coming months could play an important role in shaping how Belgium — and possibly other EU countries — manage asylum, returns, and migration partnerships in the future.