Greece eyes migrant repatriation centres outside the EU

Greece plans to create repatriation centers for irregular migrants outside the EU and sees Germany as a potential partner, Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris said on Wednesday.

Speaking on state broadcaster ERTnews, Plevris said the centers would accommodate migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries.

“We are already in talks with safe African countries that could welcome illegal migrants,” Plevris said. He added that Germany had launched a “serious initiative” and that Greece had officially expressed its interest.

In response to an investigation, Germany’s Interior Ministry said it was working on a process to establish return centers, while a comprehensive legal framework is currently being developed at European level. The ministry did not provide further details on negotiations with other EU or third countries.

According to the Greek minister, repatriation centers should include two categories. The first category would consist of secure facilities under EU control, in which African partner countries would provide support.

The second category would concern countries considered less secure, such as Libya, where migrants could also be welcomed.

According to Plevris, the repatriation centers would have a “strong deterrent effect” and would reduce illegal immigration in the long term.