The creation of migrant return centers outside the European Union will be at the center of a meeting of the “Core Group” in Copenhagen, where five EU countries are expected to discuss how such facilities could operate.
Greece will be represented by Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris, who will join ministers from Denmark, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands at the meeting.
The five countries have formed a cooperation group focused on joint European action to address irregular migration, with particular emphasis on the operational details and proposed model for Return Hubs in countries outside the EU.
Plans for Return Hubs advance
Greece and the other four countries are taking the lead in efforts to establish Return Hubs outside the European Union, with discussions now at an advanced stage.
The talks have moved beyond the general concept of such centers and are increasingly focused on identifying countries where they could be established.
Under the scenarios currently being discussed, the Return Hubs would be located in African countries.
Uganda and Rwanda are currently considered the countries with the strongest prospects for hosting the facilities.
The Copenhagen meeting will focus on the next steps for the initiative, including the operational framework and how the proposed return centers could function as part of a broader European approach to tackling irregular migration.
