Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands have taken steps towards an agreement with a non-European Union country to establish migrant return facilities, according to senior officials. The Group of Five aims to finalize deals this year to send migrants without legal residency to countries outside the EU. The specific locations for these return centres have not been disclosed.
Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov stated at a news conference in Copenhagen that the group expects to reach a common understanding with a partner country outside the EU around New Year. He emphasized that this initiative represents a new opportunity for migrants to start anew in a partner country. The five nations plan to engage in discussions with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) regarding their next steps.
A UNHCR spokesperson noted that the agency had not received details of the proposal and could not provide comments at this time. The Group of Five is scheduled to meet again in Munich, Germany, at the end of September to further develop the plan.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed the group's intention to reach an agreement with third countries this year to facilitate the establishment of return hubs. In June, the European Parliament approved a migration policy overhaul aimed at expediting deportations and allowing member states to create centres abroad, a move that has drawn criticism for potentially undermining protections for asylum seekers.
The Council of Europe, which promotes human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, expressed concerns in July about the human rights risks associated with the proposed return hubs. Danish Refugee Council Secretary-General Charlotte Slente advocated for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which emphasizes stricter border screening, quicker return procedures, and enhanced digital systems for managing asylum claims. She argued that return hubs would not effectively deter dangerous migration routes and could infringe on basic human rights.