Five European Union countries have agreed to implement a pilot phase for expelling rejected asylum seekers to third countries, starting in 2027. The plan, announced by Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, involves a six-month pilot phase in the first half of 2027. This approach has already been adopted by the United States under Donald Trump. The five countries aim to reach an agreement with a third-country partner by the end of 2026.
According to Minister Plevris, the five countries - Greece, Denmark, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands - are working closely together on this project. They are prioritizing the fight against irregular migration. Plevris mentioned that they are close to an agreement with an African country, although he did not disclose the name of the potential partner. The plan involves designating possible destinations for expulsion, with the goal of returning individuals to either their country of origin or a third country.
Diplomatic sources suggest that Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan are being considered as potential partners. While these reports are unconfirmed, Rwanda acknowledged in August that it had held preliminary discussions with unidentified European countries. The idea of expelling asylum seekers to third countries has faced challenges in the past. For example, the UK's 2022 agreement to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was blocked by courts for several years.
The European countries plan to finance the initiative themselves, at least initially, and hope to involve the European Commission later. The goal is to have an agreement in place with a third-country partner by the end of 2026, although this remains an objective rather than a firm deadline. The plan has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for asylum seekers and the human rights implications.
The approach has been used by the Trump administration in the United States, which signed agreements with countries such as South Sudan, Eswatini, and Rwanda to expel asylum seekers. However, several of these deportations were contested in court. The Italian government signed an agreement with Albania in 2023 to process certain asylum cases, while the UK's Rwanda plan remains in limbo.
Minister Plevris emphasized that the plan does not involve creating closed centers in the host country. Instead, individuals would be returned to either their country of origin or a third country. The Greek government has not yet provided further details on the plan, but it is expected to face scrutiny from human rights groups and other stakeholders.
The plan's success will depend on the agreement with a third-country partner and the willingness of the European Commission to provide support. The five countries involved will need to navigate complex diplomatic and humanitarian issues to implement the plan. Key aspects of the plan, including the identity of the third-country partner, remain unclear.
Key points
- Five EU countries plan to expel rejected asylum seekers to third countries, starting in 2027.
- The plan involves a six-month pilot phase and aims to reach an agreement with a third-country partner by the end of 2026.
- The approach has been used by the Trump administration in the United States, but its implementation in Europe is expected to face significant challenges.
