Germany, Greece, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands are aiming to launch a pilot project in the first half of 2027 to transfer rejected asylum seekers to countries outside the European Union. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris outlined the plan in an interview with Politico published on September 29.
- The timeline outlined by the minister represents the goal of the five nations; key terms remain subject to negotiation.
- Plevris specified that the initiative focuses on designated return countries rather than establishing closed detention facilities.
- Funding and shared responsibility for the project are to be borne by the five participating nations.
Timelines and Operational Format Under Discussion
According to Plevris, the group intends to have the project operational at scale during the second half of 2027. This timeline aligns with Greece’s presidency of the Council of the EU, beginning in July. Politico reported Rwanda as among the potential partner countries under consideration.
The minister clarified that the framework does not envision sending individuals to closed detention facilities in third countries upon asylum rejection. He characterized the proposed mechanism as facilitated return to countries of origin or transfer to another non-EU nation. The precise forms of accommodation remain subject to ongoing negotiations: Plevris stated that participants remain open to arrangements proposed by host nations, ranging from temporary camp accommodations to broader integration programs.
Funding and Human Rights Oversight
Politico notes that the proposed schedule could prove challenging, as several core components of the agreement remain unsettled. The minister indicated that the group is engaged in discussions with international organizations regarding human rights monitoring mechanisms in prospective destination countries. Plevris emphasized that involving international oversight bodies does not relieve the five participating states of shared legal responsibility.
According to Politico, initial funding must be provided by the participating member states. Plevris stated the aim is a financially viable model, with expectations of active European Commission backing in subsequent phases. While the minister does not anticipate large transfer volumes to third countries, he expects the existence of the framework to incentivize higher rates of voluntary departure.