Greece says it wants to join other EU countries in exploring plans to send rejected asylum seekers to designated “return hubs” in African countries, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said on Wednesday.
Greece, which was a primary gateway into Europe during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis, has seen a recent rise in arrivals on Crete and Gavdos—the Aegean islands closest to North Africa—even though overall migration flows have declined in recent years.
Plevris told Greece’s public broadcaster ERT that Athens has already discussed the idea with Germany and formally expressed interest in participating in such an initiative.
“There is already a discussion with some safe African countries for the reception of illegal migrants that we, as EU member states, cannot deport,” Plevris said.
Germany has not yet commented on the talks.
Other European countries have pursued similar arrangements. In September, the Netherlands announced a cooperation agreement with Uganda to facilitate the return of rejected asylum seekers via Uganda, though the plan applies only to people from neighboring countries.
Plevris said placing migrant return centers outside Europe could serve as a strong deterrent. “Imagine sending an Egyptian who embarks for Europe to Uganda instead,” he added.
Uganda also has an agreement with the United States to host nationals from third countries who are denied US asylum and are unwilling to return home.
Greece’s center-right government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has taken a tougher stance on migration since 2019, expanding fencing along the northern border with Turkey and increasing sea patrols.
In response to increasing arrivals from North Africa, Greece suspended the processing of asylum claims for people reaching Crete and Gavdos by sea between July and October—drawing criticism from human rights groups.
