President Nikos Christodoulides has praised a new EU migrant return deal that allows member states to establish “return hubs” in third countries for irregular migrants. The agreement, reached on Tuesday, aims to enhance the bloc’s ability to manage migration more effectively.
- To come into force, the new law requires approval from both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.
In a social media post, Christodoulides emphasised that the deal, negotiated under the Cyprus presidency alongside the European Parliament and Commission, complements the existing pact on migration. He stated, “Last night, the Cyprus presidency, together with the European Parliament and Commission, delivered a deal for a new returns regulation which allows for faster and more effective return of migrants with no right to stay in the EU.” He expressed his belief that this legislation will contribute to a “more autonomous union” and a “more secure union”.
Migrant return: Establishing Return Hubs
The most significant aspect of the new legislation is the empowerment of EU member states to set up “return hubs” in third countries. According to the Council of the EU, these hubs could either serve as final destinations for irregular migrants or as transfer centres that facilitate their return to their countries of origin or other third countries.
However, the Council also noted that such agreements can only be made with third countries that respect international human rights standards and the principle of non-refoulement. Importantly, unaccompanied minors are excluded from these arrangements.
A Lesson from the UK
The establishment of these return hubs echoes the United Kingdom’s controversial attempts to deport irregular migrants to Rwanda between 2022 and 2024. Although the UK government had passed legislation to facilitate these deportations, the plan faced multiple legal challenges regarding Rwanda’s human rights record. In April 2024, the British government sought to bypass court rulings by declaring Rwanda a safe country, but this plan was ultimately scrapped following a change in government.
New Regulations and Sanctions
The new law not only introduces the concept of return hubs but also enhances cooperation among EU member states concerning migrant returns. It includes provisions for sanctions against irregular migrants who do not cooperate with national authorities. The Council outlined that there will be strict obligations for individuals without the right to remain in the EU, including the requirement to leave the member state concerned and to cooperate with authorities.
Should individuals fail to comply, they may face consequences such as reduced benefits and allowances, as well as potential criminal sanctions, including imprisonment, depending on national law. Furthermore, the law proposes a “European return order” to facilitate mutual recognition of migrant returns among member states, preventing irregular migrants from moving to another member state after being ordered to leave.
Enhanced Security Measures
Additionally, the legislation provides member states with exceptions to certain regulations regarding the expulsion of individuals deemed security risks. This includes the ability to issue entry bans that exceed the current maximum limit of 10 years and even impose indefinite bans for specific individuals.
After the deal was finalised, Cypriot Migration Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides, who played a key role in the negotiations, stated that the new law would speed up the return process and enhance the rates of return for those without legal rights to remain in the EU. He underscored that migration remains a top priority for the Cyprus presidency and that the agreement strengthens the credibility of EU migration policy while adhering to human rights standards.
To come into force, the new law requires approval from both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.
