Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said Athens was already in talks with safe African countries. According to him, these centers, designed for migrants who cannot be returned to their countries of origin, should have a “strong deterrent effect” on illegal migration to the Euro bloc.
Greece is negotiating the establishment of centers for illegal migrants outside the territory of the European Union. He sees Germany as a potential partner, Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris said on Wednesday. TASR informs about it according to the report of the DPA agency.
- Greece is considering the establishment of centers for migrants outside the EU.
- Germany has initiated a project that Athens is interested in.
- The goal is to reduce illegal migration and effective returns.
Germany launched the initiative, Athens is interested in it
According to Plevris, the centers are intended for migrants who cannot be returned to their countries of origin. “We are already conducting negotiations with safe African countries that could accept illegal migrants,” the minister announced to the ERTnews station. He added that Germany has launched a “serious initiative” and Athens has shown interest in it.
In response, the German Ministry of the Interior confirmed that it is working on the process of creating return centers, while a comprehensive legislative framework is being prepared at the level of the European Union. It has not yet provided details on talks with member or third countries.
Two categories
Plevris explained that the centers should consist of two categories. The first would consist of security facilities under the control of the EU, where African countries would provide support. The second category would include less secure countries, such as Libya, where migrants could also be located. According to the Greek minister, such centers would have a “strong deterrent effect” and would contribute to the long-term reduction of illegal migration to the Euro bloc.
In recent months, the European Union and its member states have been paying increased attention to the possibilities of streamlining the system of returning unsuccessful asylum seekers. In March, the European Commission proposed that EU member states could set up centers in countries outside the Union where migrants with rejected asylum applications could wait for deportation.
