KABUL - Speaking at a session in Kabul on Tuesday on "Migration: Challenges and Opportunities", the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said insecurity, recruitment by armed opposition groups and economic problems are the main reasons driving Afghans to Europe.

According to Maya Ameratunga, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan: "Fear of forced recruitment, intimidation by anti-government elements, human rights abuses; those are some of protection reasons why refugees are leaving."

Mark Bowden, Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said: "Those who leave the country often lose their right to land and put themselves at risk and it is also a loss of skills to the country and when they do return reintegration remains a challenge."

Meanwhile, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation Sayed Alemi Balkhi said the flow of migrants to Europe is a crisis. He stressed the need to talk with European countries about ending the crisis.

"Migration to European countries is falling into a crisis ... And European countries are trying to get out of it," the minister said.

"The migrant sender countries should talk with the migration destination countries about overcoming the crisis," he added.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Palace spoke out about providing job opportunities to Afghans.

"When someone's migration application is rejected and they are sent back to the country, we will hire them based on the facilities we have on hand," said Sayed Zafar Hashemi, deputy spokesman for the president.

Delegates attending the meeting said government and the international community should make preparations to help those being repatriated.

This comes after a number of European countries decided to send a large number of Afghan refugees back home. Some European countries have warned that they will cut their aid if the refugees are not repatriated. (Tolo News)