European justice and interior ministers convened in Copenhagen this week for an informal gathering, with a key focus on advancing a more robust migration policy. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, representing the CSU party, emphasized the imperative of intensifying efforts regarding returns of individuals.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Dobrindt stated the primary objective is to increase pressure related to deportations, alongside a concerted effort to dismantle human trafficking networks. The declared aim is to facilitate further reductions in irregular migration flows.
The discussion also centered on the concept of “Return Hubs” which Dobrindt championed as an innovative and essential approach. He underscored the need for partner nations to be involved in this system, ideally located near the countries of origin to enable the efficient return and regional resettlement of individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected.
Acknowledging the challenges individual member states face in securing such agreements, Dobrindt suggested that a coordinated European-level strategy could significantly enhance implementation potential. He also posited the possibility of some nations forming alliances below the European level to explore and pursue these collaborative arrangements.
