- The goal is to reach a common understanding with the partner country by New Year
COPENHAGEN: Five European Union countries are working to establish an agreement with an unspecified non-EU country to host a “return hub” for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, with the initiative potentially becoming operational from January 1.
Denmark, Greece, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands reached an understanding on the proposal during a meeting in Copenhagen, Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bodskov said on Friday.
“Around New Year, we expect to have a common understanding with a partner country outside of the European Union,” Bodskov said, indicating that discussions with a potential host country are expected to progress in the coming months.
The proposed arrangement is aimed at facilitating the return of migrants who have exhausted the asylum process and are no longer entitled to remain in EU member states.
BY: The Times Union
