Greece plans migrant relocation to African nation by 2027

Greece is engaged in advanced negotiations with an unnamed African nation to establish a mechanism for relocating migrants whose international protection applications have been rejected. This initiative is a joint European effort involving Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris stated that the goal is to finalize an agreement within 2026, with the mechanism becoming fully operational by the second half of 2027, coinciding with the Greek presidency of the EU. The framework will specifically target individuals who do not qualify for asylum or other forms of international protection in Europe.

Regarding current migration trends, Plevris noted increased pressure on the maritime route from Libya to Crete, while arrivals in the Eastern Aegean islands remain low due to cooperation between Greece and Turkey. Additionally, the government is increasing repatriation efforts via chartered flights, with a specific focus on returns to Bangladesh.