Denmark's PM Foresees EU-Funded Return Centers Outside Union by 2027

Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, stated that European countries might establish EU-funded migrant return centers outside the European Union by next year, reflecting a broader tightening of migration policies influenced by the rise of far-right parties, according to the Financial Times.

Frederiksen, a long-time advocate of the "return centers" concept, indicated that efforts are underway to secure funding from the European Commission for such facilities located in non-EU countries.

She explained, "You will see a group of countries, somewhat like an alliance of willing states... supported by the Commission. In 2026-2027, we will witness the first return center outside Europe... I believe we will be able to achieve this within the next year."

While emphasizing the protection of human rights, Frederiksen did not provide details on enforcement mechanisms. She also expressed satisfaction with the support from far-right parties for her plans, despite differing with them on other issues.

She added, "As a social democrat, it is clear that the cost of turning migration into a problem is borne by the lower classes in society. Being a social democrat today means addressing mass migration in Europe... No one has convinced me that establishing return centers outside Europe is not a social democratic idea."

The European Union recently approved a comprehensive reform of migration and asylum policies after years of political deadlock and faltering beginnings, following an increase in arrivals since 2015.

Frederiksen stated, "These centers must comply with international law. I believe everyone agrees on that. So these will be centers outside Europe, but according to European standards. None of us wants to do something unsustainable. We want to do it properly and treat people as we do in Europe."

Frederiksen has faced criticism from fellow social democrats for her hardline stance, with many critics doubting the feasibility of ensuring EU standards and human rights protections in return centers located outside the Union.

She refrained from naming countries with which her government is negotiating to host the proposed centers but said she wants "these centers to receive people who have been ordered to leave the EU, as well as incoming asylum seekers," while acknowledging that "their scope has not yet been defined."

Frederiksen questioned, "Where do we solve the problems of mass migration? Inside Europe or outside it?" She added, "Now, for the first time, we see that the solution must be outside Europe. This is the biggest shift, the biggest change in this entire matter."

Last week, the European Parliament, supported by far-right parties, approved regulations endorsing so-called return centers, which will host rejected asylum seekers who cannot be deported to their home countries, amid chants from Members of the European Parliament shouting "Send them back."

A European Commission spokesperson said on Monday that the necessary legislation to establish these centers has been prepared and that "the next steps are in the hands of member states, and Brussels is ready to assess any mature proposal."

However, some countries, notably France, continue to oppose the idea. President Emmanuel Macron said last week that he has not seen an "effective" return center and that he would oppose using EU funds for such projects.

Macron added, "I am not sure these are the fundamental principles on which Europe was built." Assigning migration management to countries outside the EU has long been taboo, but in recent years, more governments have adopted the idea.

The European Commission proposed new legislation to facilitate the expulsion of illegal migrants while EU leaders struggle to maintain a coordinated approach to migration policy.

Denmark’s government was among the first to support this concept and began talks with Rwanda in 2021 to establish an asylum seeker center there. However, these plans were later suspended amid political controversy and legal and human rights concerns, as Copenhagen sought to create EU-funded centers.

Frederiksen’s remarks came days after 19 EU countries endorsed external migration policies similar to the Italian center established in Albania in 2024, emphasizing the need for EU budget funding.

Earlier this month, a senior adviser to the European Court of Justice indicated that the Albanian plan might comply with EU law if the Union’s human rights regulations are applied to detainees there; the court’s final ruling remains pending.