Von der Leyen Advocates 'Return Hubs' for Rejected Asylum Seekers

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has proposed exploring "return hubs" outside the EU as a strategy to manage irregular migration, citing a recent agreement between Italy and Albania as a potential model.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has proposed exploring "return hubs" outside the EU as a strategy to manage irregular migration, citing a recent agreement between Italy and Albania as a potential model.

In a letter to EU national leaders, von der Leyen emphasized the need for new approaches to address irregular migration, highlighting a significant drop in arrivals compared to previous years. EU leaders are set to meet this week for a summit focused on migration strategies, with the commission expected to introduce new measures.

The Italy-Albania deal, which allows Albania to host processing centers for male asylum seekers, is seen as a pivotal step in managing migration flows. The first group of migrants, including 16 men rescued by the Italian coastguard, is scheduled to arrive in Albania soon.

Countries like Germany, France, and Italy have implemented border controls to curb irregular migration, reflecting rising political pressures and public sentiment. Germany, previously more lenient on migration, is now taking a stricter stance ahead of upcoming elections.

Von der Leyen also pointed to successful agreements with Tunisia and Libya, despite criticism from human rights organizations. She noted a two-thirds reduction in irregular arrivals via the central Mediterranean route in 2024, attributing this decline to such agreements.

The Italy-Albania pact, signed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, involves significant financial investment from Italy, totaling €670 million over five years. The deal includes three newly opened facilities in Albania designed to process asylum claims and manage migrants.

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