De Wever joins European call for swift rollout of return hubs
Prime minister Bart De Wever has joined 18 other European leaders in calling for the rapid rollout of “return hubs” in third countries for migrants who do not have the right to remain in the European Union.
The letter, initiated by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, follows the European Parliament’s approval this week of a new return regulation that provides a legal framework for member states to negotiate the establishment of return centres outside the EU.
“Now we must show concrete results that really make a difference for our citizens and proceed as quickly as possible with solutions implemented in third countries,” the 19 leaders wrote.
Under the proposed system, rejected asylum seekers could be transferred to centres in third countries while awaiting return to their country of origin. Supporters argue that such “innovative solutions” could help combat human smuggling networks and discourage irregular migration.
The letter points to Italy’s controversial centres in Albania as an example. “Other countries are currently working on developing the new possibilities, including hubs in third countries,” the letter states. “We will personally take the lead to ensure that our visions become reality.”
The signatories also urged the European Commission to support the initiative, including through funding from the EU budget. Denmark and the Netherlands are already in talks with non-EU countries about establishing such centres.
Besides De Wever, the leaders of the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Greece and Hungary signed the letter. Germany, France and Spain did not.
The issue has also exposed divisions within Belgium’s federal coalition. In the European Parliament, N-VA and CD&V supported the new return regulation, while Vooruit and Les Engagés voted against it, arguing that the legislation crossed “red lines”, including by allowing rejected asylum seekers to be detained for longer periods. Because of those disagreements, Belgium is expected to abstain in the final vote by EU member states.
Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever arrives to attend the EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on June 19, 2026. © PHOTO JOHN THYS / AFP
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