The Taliban may have to wait a little longer to admire the unfinished Schuman roundabout.

Their trip to Brussels to discuss the deportation of Afghans in Europe with EU officials, initially expected this month, has yet to get off the ground, with Belgium still waiting for visa applications from the delegation invited by the European Commission.

The applications should have been submitted by the Taliban themselves, but so far nothing has come through, a spokesperson for Maxime Prévot, the Belgian foreign minister, told me. The process is likely to take weeks.

The invitation for the “technical-level” talks, issued by the Commission, will focus on the return of convicted criminals and individuals deemed to pose security threats.

In April, Rapporteur was first to reveal plans for the trip, organised at the EU level following a push by Belgium’s migration ministry and at the invitation of the Commission and the Swedish government.

The delegation is expected to be led by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Taliban's foreign affairs spokesperson. Balkhi did not respond to Rapporteur's request for comment on why the visa applications have yet to be submitted.

The proposed visit has stirred quite a controversy and left Prévot under mounting pressure.

It triggered backlash from MEPs, civil society groups and national politicians, reigniting debate over whether engagement with the Taliban confers legitimacy on a regime accused of serious human rights abuses.

Belgium’s foreign ministry is now in a tight spot. While it controls visa issuance for visitors invited by EU institutions based in Brussels, it is keen to distinguish between facilitating meetings and endorsing those attending them.

Belgian authorities have already launched security checks on prospective delegation members identified by the Commission.

While insisting it does not recognise the Taliban regime, the ministry argued that blocking access to invitees of the EU institutions would set a dangerous precedent.

"Were Belgium to start ruling on the appropriateness of invitations issued by the European institutions in the framework of their own activities, we would weaken Brussels' position as an international and diplomatic capital," the spokesperson said.

No budget deal without new taxes

António Costa is upping the pressure on capitals ahead of next week’s leaders’ summit, tying a year-end deal on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework to progress on fresh EU taxes – the bloc’s most politically fraught revenue question.

In a letter to national governments seen by Rapporteur, the European Council president warns that progress on new EU revenue streams will be decisive in securing a deal on the next long-term budget by the end of the year.

Alongside the budget disputes, the summit is also likely to have a more positive undertone. Costa welcomed the “renewed impetus” behind enlargement, with Ukraine and Moldova both expected to move ahead on their accession paths before leaders meet.

“Macroeconomic imbalances” are also on the agenda. Just don’t say “China.”

Ireland teases ‘Strength with Unity’ presidency

Micheál Martin, Ireland’s prime minister, put competitiveness, values and security at the heart of his country’s upcoming EU presidency in a press conference on Wednesday.

Tellingly, he stopped short of pledging to finish negotiations on the next long-term EU budget. “We will also seek to secure a solid basis for the future work of the Union through the negotiation of the European Union’s next long-term budget,” the Taoiseach said.

A more achievable victory may be tangible progress on enlargement. “We believe we can give it a really good shot of getting Montenegro very close to the end line by the end of the year. We’d have essentially most, if not all, of their chapters closed,” he said.

Martin also called for greater European engagement in tackling the housing crisis, suggesting changes to EU rules could help speed up construction. Ireland will host a housing summit in November, bringing together the relevant national ministers.

The presidency will be guided by an Irish proverb Ní neart go cur le chéile – “there's nothing of strength without unity,” Martin said. A child-friendly version of the presidency priorities will be published “so that this is relatable to all ages,” said Helen McEntee, the foreign minister.

Fantasy bubble World Cup team

In a parallel universe, the EU has picked a team for the World Cup – which, in this reality, kicks off tonight with Mexico taking on South Africa.

Our star-studded XI includes former French professional footballer Thomas Regnier from the European Commission’s spokespersons’ service; Left group MEP Caroline Morace, who coached Italy’s women’s national team; and Tom McGrath, the teenage son of Ireland’s commissioner, who already captains the country’s Under 17 team. Read the full story.

Capitals pull rank on crisis fund

EU capitals moved to tighten oversight of a €15 billion emergency fund in the bloc’s next external action budget, seeking to curb the Commission’s room for manoeuvre over money meant for crises such as natural disasters or migration shocks, during talks on Wednesday.

Rapporteur previously reported concerns over the Commission’s use of crisis funds in recent years, including the channelling of hundreds of millions of euros to countries involved in trade negotiations with the EU, such as India and Mercosur members.

Under the latest compromise text seen by Rapporteur, the reserve should be used “primarily and timely” for unforeseen circumstances. The Commission would also be required to brief the European Parliament and the Council on the sums involved before activating its own transfer powers, which cover up to 10% of the emergency funds, and to take into account the views of EU capitals.

According to three diplomats, this compromise provision is expected to remain largely unchanged ahead of a final agreement next week.

EU-approved influencers

The Council will decide whether content creators invited to attend the European Council comply with EU values under a new pilot project starting 1 July, aimed at bringing social media influencers into leaders’ and ministers’ gatherings to engage citizens, particularly younger audiences.

EU capitals will nominate the creators, but the Council will vet them against a set of criteria, including audience reach, limited commercial partnerships, demonstrated political coverage and the absence of political ambitions.

Importantly, creators must not have “published views against the EU values” – a condition that leaves significant discretion over who ultimately makes the cut.

Here are three new stories from Euractiv:

• Meta tops Brussels lobbying rankings again

• Finland warns EU to heed Nokia’s lessons

• Opinion: Boo MAGA, not America’s football team

KUBILIUS OVERBOOKED: Germany’s aerospace industry asked to postpone Wednesday's trilogue on the defence omnibus to secure the attendance of Andrius Kubilius, the EU defence chief, at the ILA Berlin Air Show alongside Friedrich Merz.

Calls from the German aerospace lobby and conference organisers reached both the offices of Kubilius and the European Parliament – to no avail. Irritated by the request, Parliament blocked the idea.

PRESIDENCY BILL: It will cost Ireland between €165 million and €185 million to host the rotating Council presidency, excluding security costs, Micheál Martin said at a press conference. He noted that holding the presidency is an obligation that comes around every 13.5 years or so.

BERLIN 🇩🇪

Germany and France will preserve the core concept behind the collapsed Future Combat Air System, despite abandoning the fighter jet component after Airbus and Dassault failed to resolve industrial disputes, Friedrich Merz said. Berlin and Paris are now drawing up a new roadmap – while Germany is increasingly leaning towards buying more US-made F-35s to fill the gap. Read the full story.

– Björn Stritzel

PARIS 🇫🇷

Four days before the G7 summit, Emmanuel Macron will host a videoconference on Thursday bringing together G7 members, China, invited partners including Brazil, India, South Korea, Kenya and Egypt, as well as the IMF. The “Global Convergence Summit for Growth” aims to ease global economic tensions by fostering cooperation between advanced and emerging economies. Priorities include tackling macroeconomic imbalances and rebalancing trade with China and the US.

– Clara Vassent

BRATISLAVA 🇸🇰

Slovakia risks losing up to €35 million in EU funding for youth programmes after Brussels warned it could act over the suspension of payments to Saplinq, an LGBTI+ youth organisation. The Commission has demanded an explanation from Bratislava by next week, arguing the prolonged withholding of funds may amount to the “de facto liquidation” of the project and could breach programme rules. Read the full story.

– Natália Silenská

VILNIUS 🇱🇹

Lithuania's centre-left Social Democrats opened coalition talks on Wednesday with the centrist Democrats "For Lithuania" after deciding to eject the populist-right Nemunas Dawn party, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, from the governing majority. Democrat leader Virginijus Sinkevičius said the priority was agreeing a common programme rather than dividing cabinet posts, though he acknowledged negotiations could prove difficult. The proposed alliance would mark Lithuania's third governing majority since the 2024 election.

– Charles Szumski

ATHENS 🇬🇷

A senior Greek lawmaker’s rhetorical question about whether to “sink” migrant boats has ignited a political firestorm in Athens. Makis Voridis, a former migration minister from the ruling New Democracy party, insists he was speaking hypothetically. But opponents say the remarks reflect a broader rightward shift as snap election rumours swirl and new parties threaten to redraw Greece’s political map. Read the full story.

– Sarantis Michalopoulos

BUCHAREST 🇷🇴

President Nicușor Dan fuelled speculation that coalition talks are faltering after urging parties to act "responsibly" ahead of a parliamentary vote on the government proposed by his ally Eugen Tomac. Dan warned that the parties were "not discussing among themselves" and called for greater cooperation. The vote has yet to be scheduled, although constitutional deadlines require it to take place by early next week.

– Matei Rosca

Contributors: Kjeld Neubert, Victoria Becker, Vince Chadwick

Editors: Christina Zhao, Sofia Mandilara, Charles Szumski