EU Five Nations Agree on Migrant Centers Beyond Europe
Five EU countries agreed to create migrant detention centers outside Europe for asylum seekers whose applications were rejected, with the first centers potentially operational by 2027. The centers aim to transform the EU's migration and asylum system, with oversight planned by IOM and UNHCR.
Consensus
- Five EU countries—Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Greece—agreed on a unified model for migrant detention centers outside the EU.
- The centers will house asylum seekers whose applications were rejected in the EU.
- The first centers could become operational by 2027.
- Preparatory talks are underway with African countries.
- The initiative aims to fundamentally transform the EU's migration and asylum system.
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR are expected to oversee the centers.
- The EU has established criteria for 'safe third countries'—countries where asylum seekers can be sent if they are not citizens and have passed through or have agreements with the EU.
Points of divergence
- The Danish Minister of Migration and Integration, Mortin Bedskov, stated that the centers are 'centers of return' and that the decision opens the way to a 'fundamental transformation' of the European migration and asylum system. — tg_currenttime
- The Danish Minister of Migration and Integration, Mортен Бедсков, emphasized that the centers are not euphemisms for detention or deportation centers, but opportunities for migrants without legal grounds to stay in the EU who cannot return to their home countries. — kommersant
- UNHCR stated it has not received any formal proposal from the countries and is not prepared to comment on specific agreements or potential future roles. — kommersant
- In February, European Parliament deputies approved new conditions for the 'safe third country' concept, defining such countries as those with EU or national agreements on reception and placement, or those passed through by the asylum seeker. — tg_currenttime
- The countries have not yet disclosed the specific locations for the centers. — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- Authorities of five EU countries agreed on creation of migrant detention centers outside Europe. There may be sent and p... — Настоящее Время
- Five EU countries will create centers for the detention of migrants outside Europe — Коммерсантъ