Refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan protest against their deportation to Turkey on April 5, 2016 in Lesbos, Greece. An unlimited number of migrants will soon be returned to Afghanistan from the EU
Refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan protest against their deportation to Turkey on April 5, 2016 in Lesbos, Greece. An unlimited number of migrants will soon be returned to Afghanistan from the EU
Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

Story highlights

A new terminal could be built at Kabul airport to accommodate those deported from Europe

Nearly 180,000 Afghans applied for asylum in the EU last year

CNN  — 

The European Union and Afghanistan have agreed to a deal that will ramp up the return of Afghan migrants who fail to gain asylum.

A new dedicated terminal could even be built at Kabul airport to accommodate those have been deported from Europe.

The Joint Way Forward repatriation agreement published Tuesday is the result of six months of negotiations. It will allow European countries to deport an unlimited number of failed Afghan asylum seekers who have refused to return voluntarily.

Afghanistan has committed to the readmission and reintegration of all of them.

A new terminal could be built at Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul as a result of the agreement
A new terminal could be built at Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul as a result of the agreement
Rahmat Gul/AP

According to a joint press release from the two sides, the agreement seeks to find bilateral solutions to common problems.

These include raising public awareness among Afghans of the risks of irregular migration, breaking the smugglers’ models and providing sustainable reintegration for those who return to Afghanistan.

According to the agreement, “both sides will explore the possibility to build a dedicated terminal for return in Kabul airport.”

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Afghanistan: The biggest issue for the next US president?
00:52 - Source: CNN

The agreement stipulates a limit of 50 non-voluntary returnees per flight in the first six months on “scheduled or non-scheduled flights to Kabul airport and any other specified Afghan airports,” but does not state a limit on the number of flights.

It also states: “Prior to returning Afghan nationals, the EU side will give fair consideration to humanitarian aspects in accordance with international law to unaccompanied minors, single women and women who are head of their families, family unity, elderly and seriously sick people. Special measures will ensure that such vulnerable groups receive adequate protection, assistance and care throughout the whole process.”

Increased number of asylum seekers

According to Eurostat, the statistical wing of the European Commission, 178,000 Afghans applied for asylum in EU member states in 2015 – quadruple the number who applied the previous year. They were the second largest nationality behind Syrians.

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hungary vote migrants erin mclaughlin lklv_00003018.jpg

Related article Hungary voters reject EU migrant-resettlement plan, but low turnout invalidates results

Nearly half of those who sought protection last year applied in two countries: Hungary (45,600) and Sweden (41,200).

According to a spokeswoman for the International Organization for Migration, in the first 8 months of this year, IOM assisted 5,011 voluntary returns to Afghanistan from Europe.

On Tuesday, speaking at an international conference on Afghanistan in Brussels, EU Council President Donald Tusk said: “I want to thank the Afghan government for its courage in agreeing a way forward to manage migration fairly in co-operation with the European Union. We will support this agreement with money and job-creation programs to reintegrate returning migrants to the benefit of their local communities.”

Poor security situation

Afghanistan is currently experiencing a “very bad” security situation, according to Fatima Aziz, a member of the Afghan parliament from the northern city of Kunduz, who spoke to CNN Tuesday.

As the Afghan government and European Union met in Brussels on Wednesday October 5 to discuss the future of Afghanistan, the Norwegian Refugee Council asked Afghans what they'd like to see come from the summit. Here are their answers. <br />"Please help us to have a good education system," said Hossein Ibrahimi, Principal at Gebreal Boys High School in Herat, north west Afghanistan.<br />"Many children at the school have to study in simple tents and it makes it hard for the children to concentrate," he said of the school which teaches many internally displaced Afghans returning from Iran."If we give the children a good education, we will be able to build a better future," said Ibrahimi.
As the Afghan government and European Union met in Brussels on Wednesday October 5 to discuss the future of Afghanistan, the Norwegian Refugee Council asked Afghans what they'd like to see come from the summit. Here are their answers.
"Please help us to have a good education system," said Hossein Ibrahimi, Principal at Gebreal Boys High School in Herat, north west Afghanistan.
"Many children at the school have to study in simple tents and it makes it hard for the children to concentrate," he said of the school which teaches many internally displaced Afghans returning from Iran."If we give the children a good education, we will be able to build a better future," said Ibrahimi.
Tiril Skarstein/Norwegian Refugee Council
"Some fathers say boys have to go to school, girls have to stay at home," said 12-year-old Razia, who is studying at Gabreal Girls High School.<br />"It's not correct. Girls also have the right to an education. They should study."
"Some fathers say boys have to go to school, girls have to stay at home," said 12-year-old Razia, who is studying at Gabreal Girls High School.
"It's not correct. Girls also have the right to an education. They should study."
Tiril Skarstein/Norwegian Refugee Council
Zaria (third from right) and her family recently returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan. However she has not yet been able to attend school. <br />"I want to be educated and become a doctor," she said, adding "I hope to be able to go to school again."
Zaria (third from right) and her family recently returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan. However she has not yet been able to attend school.
"I want to be educated and become a doctor," she said, adding "I hope to be able to go to school again."
Tiril Skarstein/Norwegian Refugee Council
Ghousuddin, 50, and his wife and five children fled fighting in Helmand and headed for Herat. <br />In the rush to leave, there was no time to put shoes on his youngest child. <br />"I wish for peace and security in my country," said Ghousuddin. <br />"Where shall I go with all these kids? I don't have money to leave my country and ask for asylum in foreign countries."
Ghousuddin, 50, and his wife and five children fled fighting in Helmand and headed for Herat.
In the rush to leave, there was no time to put shoes on his youngest child.
"I wish for peace and security in my country," said Ghousuddin.
"Where shall I go with all these kids? I don't have money to leave my country and ask for asylum in foreign countries."
Tiril Skarstein/Norwegian Refugee Council
Nooria's husband was killed three years ago when their home was destroyed during fighting. <br />"My message to world leaders is that I want them to continue to pay attention to Afghanistan," said the 35 year old. <br />"If there could be more schools in the area, I would not need to be worried about my children walking a long distance to get to class."
Nooria's husband was killed three years ago when their home was destroyed during fighting.
"My message to world leaders is that I want them to continue to pay attention to Afghanistan," said the 35 year old.
"If there could be more schools in the area, I would not need to be worried about my children walking a long distance to get to class."
Tiril Skarstein/Norwegian Refugee Council
Mother-of-eight Hazargul fled fighting in Badghis and is now living in Shaidaee Settlement in Herat.<br />"What else can we ask for apart from food?" said the 50 year old.<br />"My children are small and my husband is paralyzed. I am going out in the city and begging for people to feed my children."
Mother-of-eight Hazargul fled fighting in Badghis and is now living in Shaidaee Settlement in Herat.
"What else can we ask for apart from food?" said the 50 year old.
"My children are small and my husband is paralyzed. I am going out in the city and begging for people to feed my children."
Norwegian Refugee Council
Afghans share their messages of peace

The Taliban mounted a strong assault on Kunduz on Sunday although Afghan forces regained control of the center of the city by Tuesday, according to Afghan police.

US forces have carried out more than 700 airstrikes in the first eight months of 2016, in large part to support Afghan troops on the ground.