French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have strongly criticized proposals for migrant return hubs in third countries, deeming them ineffective and contrary to European values. The leaders expressed their opposition during an EU summit in Brussels.
The strong opposition from France and Spain highlights a significant division within the EU on migration policy, potentially impacting the implementation and effectiveness of the bloc's new migration law and its external relations.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have strongly criticized proposals for migrant return hubs in third countries, deeming them ineffective and contrary to European values. The leaders expressed their opposition during an EU summit in Brussels.
Macron stated that he was "not sure that this is our Europe" and questioned the fundamental principles on which the continent was built, adding that he had "never seen a return hub in a third country that actually works." He also expressed concern that such policies would undermine relations with neighboring African countries and suggested that using EU funds for these hubs would damage Europe's credibility.
Sánchez echoed Macron's sentiments, describing the deportation camps as an "absolutely inefficient" and "worthless" response to irregular migration that would "simply waste economic resources." He emphasized the importance of collaborating with countries of origin and transit.
Despite their opposition, 19 EU leaders signed a joint declaration calling to make "full use" of a new European law that enables the construction of return hubs for migrants whose asylum applications have been denied. This coalition, led by Denmark and Italy, aims to move forward with solutions based in third countries as soon as possible.
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