Greece is collaborating with Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark to establish deportation centres in third countries, “preferably in Africa,” for migrants whose asylum applications are rejected, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said.
Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Plevris said ministers from the five countries had met and technical teams would convene next week.
“We are not speaking theoretically any more, we are speaking practically,” he said, noting the African location was “not binding” and that larger European countries were leading talks with potential host nations.
The proposed “return hubs” would target rejected asylum seekers whose countries of origin refuse to take them back and are intended to deter irregular migration. An initial plan is expected in the coming months, though no timeline has been set for operation.
Greece, a key EU entry point, recorded a 21% drop in illegal arrivals in 2025 compared to 2024, 13,000 fewer people, and a 40% decrease over the past five months, Plevris said.
The country conducts 5,000–7,000 returns annually, but with 40,000–50,000 arrivals each year, about half rejected, he said the pace is insufficient.
The announcement follows EU approval of new migration rules allowing member states to deny asylum or deport migrants to designated safe countries.
Plevris will travel to Rome next week for talks with Italian and Spanish counterparts, as well as Pakistan’s “equivalent minister,” to boost cooperation on returns.
Source: AP News.