Migrants rescued near the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos are arriving at the port of Lavrio in Lavreotiki, Greece, on July 10, 2025. Getty Images/Costas Baltas/Anadolu
As reported by the media Politico
Greece and Germany are considering establishing centers in “safe African countries” for migrants whom Europe cannot return to their countries of origin. Such plans were outlined by Greek migration minister Thanos Plevris in Politico materials citing an interview for the public broadcaster ERT dated November 19.
According to Plevris, so-called “hubs” are being developed in African states that will accept migrants deported from the EU. Negotiations are ongoing with the same “safe African countries” that agree to take in individuals who cannot be returned.
It is also reported that the initiative is not an EU project – it is being developed by individual countries, not an institution.
“If these centers are located outside the European continent, they will become a real deterrent for migrants.”
Context of negotiations and potential consequences
The Greek minister stressed that Germany had put forward a serious initiative, in which Greece expressed interest.
Politico reports that the German Interior Ministry confirmed that during a meeting with Greek colleagues on November 4 they discussed “innovative solutions” to reduce illegal migration. It also mentions the possibility of forming a group of EU countries that would jointly work on a legal framework to implement such a mechanism.
It is reported that the initiative remains an intergovernmental agreement, not an official EU project.
In the long term, such a mechanism could alter the approach to migration regulation between Europe and African countries, but for now it is only intergovernmental discussions without formal status within the EU.
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