Greece, long a key entry point to Europe for refugees, now wants to join several EU countries in exploring the deportation of rejected asylum seekers to Africa, the country’s migration minister said on Wednesday.
During the 2015–2016 migrant crisis, more than a million people from the Middle East crossed into Europe through Greece, Reuters reported.
While overall arrivals have declined since then, the islands of Crete and Gavdos, Europe’s southernmost point, have recently seen a sharp increase in migrants coming from North Africa.
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris told public broadcaster ERT that he has been in talks with Germany about creating “migrant return hubs” in Africa, and that Athens has formally expressed interest in the idea.
“There is already a discussion with some safe African countries for the reception of illegal migrants that we (as EU member states) cannot deport,” Plevris said.
The Netherlands and Uganda reached an agreement in September to send rejected asylum seekers to Uganda as a transit point, though the arrangement applies only to migrants from nearby countries.
Uganda has also agreed to host third-country nationals who are denied asylum in the United States but refuse to return home.
Plevris argued that return centres outside Europe would act as a strong deterrent for irregular migration. “Imagine sending an Egyptian who sets out for Europe to Uganda instead,” he said.
Under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece has hardened its migration stance, expanding a border fence with Turkey and increasing sea patrols since 2019.
In an effort to curb new arrivals on Crete and Gavdos, Greece stopped processing asylum applications from people arriving by sea from North Africa between July and October, a move that drew criticism from human rights groups.