Greece plans African migrant return hub for 2027 EU presidency

migrant return hub asylum policy EU presidency third-country processing Core Group

Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has announced plans to establish a migrant return hub in an African country, intended to be operational during Greece's EU Council presidency in the second half of 2027. The initiative is being driven by a Core Group of five nations: Greece, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands.

While the specific host country has reportedly been selected, officials have not yet named it. Potential locations under discussion include Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The project aims to create a mechanism for transferring rejected asylum seekers to designated third countries rather than building closed detention facilities within the EU. A pilot program is targeted for implementation by the first half of 2027.

Additionally, Greece intends to propose an exceptional measures mechanism at the EU Council of Home Affairs on October 1. This proposal includes increased surveillance and the potential suspension of asylum procedures during migration crises or instances of migration instrumentalization.

Entities

European Union · Greece · International Organization for Migration · Kyriakos Mitsotakis · Rwanda · Thanos Plevris · Ursula von der Leyen

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 11 SOURCES] In cases of migration instrumentalization, asylum requests should not be considered and immediate repatriation should occur. omikron24.gr · sita.sk · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · www.repubblica.it · +6 more
[● 21 SOURCES] A Core Group consisting of Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Greece is promoting the initiative. omikron24.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · sita.sk · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · +15 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Greece intends to present an exceptional measures mechanism at the EU Council of Home Affairs on October 1. omikron24.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · sita.sk · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · +8 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Greece aims to establish a migrant return hub in an African country during its EU presidency in the second half of 2027. omikron24.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · sita.sk · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · +13 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The specific African country for the hub has been selected but cannot yet be named. omikron24.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · sita.sk · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · +7 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Greece aims to have a migrant return hub operational in an African country during its EU presidency in the second half of 2027. makpress.mk · omikron24.gr · www.usay.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · myportal.gr · +5 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan have been discussed as potential locations for the return hubs. 24-ore.com · sita.sk · www.tagesschau.de · en.prothomalo.com · www.liberoquotidiano.it · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The Core Group aims to implement a pilot program for sending rejected asylum seekers to third countries by the first half of 2027. 24-ore.com · www.lykavitos.gr · greekcitytimes.com
[● 10 SOURCES] Greece proposes a mechanism of exceptional measures, including increased surveillance and suspension of asylum procedures, during migration crises. makpress.mk · omikron24.gr · www.usay.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · en.prothomalo.com · +5 more