Μake us preferred on Google Rwanda is emerging as the leading candidate to host a migrant return center outside the European Union, as Greece and four other member states seek new ways to deport people whose asylum applications have been rejected.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Rwanda is expected to sign an agreement with Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands to establish a facility for migrants being returned from Europe. The five countries aim to have such centers operating in the second half of 2027, and the Rwanda initiative could begin with a pilot program in the coming period.
Under the reported proposal, each participating country would initially send around 20 rejected asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Greece joins four EU countries in Rwanda initiative
The groundwork for the plan was laid in September at a meeting of the Core Group in Copenhagen, attended by Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris and his counterparts from Denmark, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The meeting finalized the remaining details of plans to establish migrant return centers outside EU territory.
Rwanda was considered the leading option to host the facilities, with Uganda also under consideration, according to reporting by TA NEA at the time.
Greece is the only country in southern Europe actively involved in shaping the strategy for establishing return centers beyond the EU’s borders.
At the September meeting, Plevris said the model would operate in full compliance with European and international law. He expressed optimism that an agreement with safe third countries, particularly in Africa, could be reached soon.
The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum is also examining how many rejected asylum seekers could be transferred in an initial phase. That number exceeds 3,000, according to the report. Athens has also left open the possibility of pursuing bilateral agreements to establish similar facilities.
EU plans wider role for Frontex in deportations
The Rwanda proposal comes as the European Union moves toward a stricter migration policy, placing greater emphasis on preventing irregular arrivals and increasing returns.
Against a backdrop of growing support for far-right parties and a shift in public opinion toward tougher migration measures, the European Commission is advancing a plan to strengthen the role of Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, in deportation operations.
The proposal includes a reserve force of 17,000 officers intended to help manage migration flows and expand the bloc’s capacity to enforce returns.
A new center would coordinate the process of removing people who do not have the right to remain in the EU. Its responsibilities would span the initial identification of individuals and information about voluntary return through the execution of return operations and support for their reintegration.
The plan would also formally open the way for Frontex to participate in so-called return hubs, which are expected to begin operating outside EU territory from next year.
