Greece is working with Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria to establish migrant return centers in third countries outside the EU, preferably in Africa, according to the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris.
Greece is currently collaborating with Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria to develop migrant return centers in third countries, with a preference for locations in Africa. The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, shared this initiative during a statement to ERT, aiming to manage migrants who have had their asylum applications rejected. These centers are intended to serve as locations where individuals who cannot be sent back to their home countries will be relocated, addressing an ongoing challenge within the migration crisis in Europe. Plevris emphasized that when migrants are aware they may be returned to a third country center, it can act as a deterrent for those considering illegal entry into EU member states.
Moreover, Plevris mentioned that there is a significant focus on developing a comprehensive plan in alignment with European legislation regarding returns within the next few months. This plan stems from the observed decline in migration flows in 2025, although it is highlighted that the bigger issue remains the repatriation of migrants. Currently, Greece is managing between 5,000 to 7,000 returns annually, a figure that pales in comparison to the number of migrant arrivals, which continues to place pressure on the country's migration systems and policies.
