Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece, which met in Copenhagen, set out a roadmap for establishing migrant return centres outside the EU. The five countries agreed on three principles that will form the basis of the future system and also decided to begin talks with potential partners.
Three principles will form the basis of the system
The first objective of the planned model will be to significantly reduce irregular migration to the EU and weaken the business model of migrant smugglers.
The second principle requires the system to be developed as a joint European project and to fully comply with EU law and international obligations, particularly human rights.
Under the third principle, the centres will be established through partnerships with countries outside the EU based on equality and mutual benefit.
Potential partner countries to be assessed
The five countries agreed to begin active dialogue and negotiations with potential partner countries within the framework of these principles. Missions will be sent to those countries to assess whether they meet the established standards and whether a lasting partnership can be established.
The parties also prepared a joint timetable for the national legal procedures that must be completed to implement the return-centre system.
Denmark aims for first transfers before the end of 2027
Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Morten Bodskov said he expected his country to be ready before the end of 2027 to send the first foreigners without a legal right to reside to a partner country outside the EU.
Bodskov said significant progress had been made towards establishing a return centre outside the EU and that the goal was closer than ever. He said the centres should show that migrants cannot profit from making dangerous journeys to Europe and should weaken the business model of human smugglers.
The minister said it was not sustainable for migrants with no prospect of obtaining legal residence to continue paying large sums of money to human smugglers to reach Europe.
No potential partner country identified
The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration did not name any of the potential partner countries in its statement. The initiative came onto the agenda after the European Parliament voted in June on new rules allowing EU member states to establish return centres outside the bloc.
