A majority of EU member states have called for "full use" of new possibilities for offshore deportation hubs for people with no right to stay in the bloc. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
In a letter organised by Denmark's Mette Frederiksen and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, 19 member states urged action in setting up return hubs in other countries "as soon as possible".
The letter addressed to heads of EU institutions and EU leaders calls for support for the member states to set up return hubs, including financial. UN agencies, including the UN agency for refugees and the International Organisation for Migration are also asked to engage.
Earlier this month, EU lawmakers agreed on a regulation to speed up deportations of people with no right to stay, a law that also created the possibility for offshore "return hubs".
EU member states have been in talks with some African countries to host such centres, but so far none have been announced. The return hubs would be for people denied asylum in the EU, pending their return to their home country. The model contrasts with Italy's original agreement with Albania, where asylum seekers were meant to be held in the Balkan country while their claims were processed. But following legal challenges, the Italian government shifted the scope so the Albanian centres would house people served with a deportation order.
"Some initiatives are already in operation like the Italy-Albania cooperation. Other countries are now working to implement the new possibilities, including hubs in third countries. We will personally lead the way to make sure our visions are brought to life," the letter said.
Several big member states are conspicuous by their absence from the letter: France, Germany and Spain.