When they meet later this week, European leaders will discuss a new approach to migration, including the controversial prospect of setting up centers outside the EU to process asylum applications.
The idea is being discussed in an increasing number of European countries as a solution to the complex issue of immigration. This would involve the creation of bases in so-called third countries where people seeking asylum in Europe could stay until their applications are considered.
Italy is currently financing the construction of such a center in Albania to process some of the migrants trying to enter its territory. Only those whose applications are accepted will be allowed to travel to Italy.
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In this respect they differ fundamentally from the Rwanda scheme promoted by the last British Government, under which asylum seekers could settle in Africa rather than in the UK, even if their claims were accepted.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has now confirmed that she has asked one of her most senior deputies, Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, to “counter illegal migration”, further stating that “we should also continue to investigate possible solutions regarding the concept of developing return centers outside the EU.
Mrs. von der Leyen also said this UE could “draw lessons” from Italy's agreement with Albania once it is implemented in practice.
EU leaders will meet in Brussels later this week and their official agenda will focus on migration. They will talk, among others: on strengthening the external border and accelerating the pace of returns.
Early last year, leaders agreed that a stricter approach should be taken to limit the number of people crossing EU borders without permission.
For many right-wing leaders, including Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Viktor Orban in Hungary, the topic holds totemic significance, as do leaders in countries as diverse as Finland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Now the leaders of France and Germany, the most important EU countries, come under pressure from growing support for right-wing anti-immigration parties among their domestic voters. In response, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Sholz expressed their support for the call for greater action.
Sky News understands that one of their suggestions will be tougher measures against countries that refuse to accept people who have not applied for asylum. This crackdown would likely include tighter visa controls and even trade restrictions.
However, there are chronic legal problems associated with returning people to countries that are not considered safe, such as Syria and Afghanistan. It is estimated that of all people who were issued deportation orders in the EU, only around 30% were actually deported.
To further complicate the migration landscape, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk plans to suspend the right to apply for asylum of people who have arrived in his country from Belarus.
Although the total ban seems to violate international law – which has already been confirmed by the European Commission – Tusk is not giving up. He will tell the leaders that he has no choice but to do so because Russia and Belarus have used migration weapons against his country.
For Ms von der Leyen, the growing wave of political unrest over migration is no big surprise.
Two years ago it appointed Mari Juritsch, a Finnish woman with a long career in border control, to the new role of EU returns coordinator and Ms Juritsch is believed to be playing a key role in analyzing the possible role, and legality, of these hubs.
