EU ministers convened in Luxembourg to strengthen border controls and reduce illegal migration, and following these discussions, they approved new regulations to facilitate the expulsion of illegal migrants.
Establishment of Migrant Return Centers
These regulations allow member states to establish migrant return centers outside the European Union. This measure is designed for migrants who are legally required to leave the EU but cannot return to their home countries. Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands are exploring options to change migration policy and establish these centers.
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Ministers' Views on Return Centers
Morten Bodskov, Denmark's Minister of the Interior, stated in a press conference that there has been good progress regarding return centers, adding: "We are on the right track." However, he did not provide further details. Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's Minister of the Interior, also mentioned that initial discussions about return centers have taken place, but he refrained from naming the participating countries and emphasized the need for more work to ensure the sustainability of these agreements.
The Dutch Minister of Migration, Bart van den Brink, also mentioned that a technical mission has traveled to a potential host country in early September. Supporters of this policy believe that return centers can help facilitate the return of migrants and create a deterrent for illegal migrants.
Greece's Proposal on Suspending Asylum Applications
Meanwhile, Greece has proposed that in emergency situations, asylum applications be temporarily suspended. The country has argued that current laws are insufficient to manage the influx of large numbers of migrants. For example, last summer, over 72,000 migrants entered the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta. While most have returned to their home countries, about 10,000 migrants remain in the area.
Greece's proposal has received support from some member states, and the Dutch Minister of Migration stated: "We need to find a legal way to prevent them from entering the asylum process." At the same time, Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Migration, emphasized that Europe must always have the capacity to protect its borders and remain committed to fundamental rights and values.
The discussions among interior ministers come as illegal migration has become one of the main issues on the EU's political agenda, with right-wing parties gaining more support across the bloc.
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