EU approves return-centre rules as Germany eyes deal this year

Dutch asylum minister Bart van den Brink told a parliamentary debate that a group of European countries including the Netherlands had not reached an agreement with any country to host a deportation centre. His comments followed a report by Dutch newspaper AD that the group had struck a deal with Rwanda, citing information from Greece, as relayed by news agency ANP. [1]

Asked by Westerveld why the newspaper appeared to know more than parliament, Van den Brink said nothing new had happened and that talks begun a few months ago were continuing. He wants asylum seekers who cannot obtain residence in the Netherlands, but cannot or do not want to return to their home countries, to be sent to a third country. [1]

Westerveld also raised concerns about the rights and support of people sent to an unfamiliar country. Van den Brink said arrangements would be made on those issues and that a reputable international organisation should oversee them. [1]

Update

The Council of the EU gave final approval on 1 October to rules that will allow member states to transfer people who have no right to stay and have received a return decision to centres in countries outside the bloc. Each arrangement requires an agreement with the host country, which must respect international human rights standards and the principle of non-refoulement. Unaccompanied minors are excluded. [3]

Speaking before a meeting with EU migration ministers, German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said he expected an agreement on a centre for rejected asylum seekers later in 2026. Germany is working with the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Greece. Dobrindt did not name a prospective host country and said agreements would need to withstand legal challenges. [2]