FIVE EU COUNTRIES AGREE ON NEXT STEPS FOR MIGRANT RETURN HUBS OUTSIDE THE BLOC

Sun 06 September 2026:

Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece will begin talks with potential partner countries

Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece agreed Friday on the next steps toward creating migrant return hubs outside the European Union, paving the way for discussions with potential partner countries, Denmark’s Ministry of Immigration and Integration said.

The five nations, known as the Five-Country Group, reached an agreement on three principles for a future return-hub system during a meeting in Copenhagen.

The first principle states that the system should significantly reduce irregular migration to the EU and undermine the business model of migrant smugglers.

The second calls for the hubs to be developed as a joint European initiative that fully complies with EU law and international obligations, particularly human rights standards.

Under the third principle, the hubs should be created through equal and mutually beneficial partnerships with countries outside the EU.

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Talks and assessments to begin

The five countries agreed to launch active dialogue and negotiations with possible partner nations based on the three principles.

Missions will be sent to potential partner countries to assess whether their standards meet the agreed requirements and determine whether lasting partnerships can be established.

The countries also agreed on a shared timetable for the national legal procedures required before the return-hub system can be implemented.

Ahead of the meeting, Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov said Denmark expected to be ready to send the first people without legal residence to a partner country outside the EU before the end of 2027.

“We have come a long way in the work of establishing a return hub outside the EU, and we are now closer than ever before,” Bodskov said.

Denmark says hubs could deter irregular migration

Bodskov argued that the proposed centers could help reduce irregular migration by showing migrants that dangerous journeys to Europe would not lead to a legal future.

He said the hubs could also weaken the operations of migrant-smuggling networks.

“It is unsustainable that migrants with no prospect of legal residence pay large sums to people smugglers to come to Europe,” Bodskov said.

The Danish ministry did not name any potential partner country in its statement.

The initiative follows a vote in the European Parliament in June on new rules that would allow EU member states to establish return hubs outside the bloc.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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