In a letter to the national leaders of the EU on irregular migration, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an investigation into “return hubs” outside the EU, pointing to an agreement between Italy and Albania as a potential example.
Since the commission has stated that it will suggest new measures, EU leaders are scheduled to meet for a migration summit on Thursday and Friday.
Although the number of irregular migrants and asylum seekers entering Europe last year was less than one-third of the one million that arrived in 2015, the issue is still highly sensitive and has an impact on elections in the majority of European nations, as well as boosting support for the far right.
Germany has implemented border controls with all of its neighbors and suspended the freedom of the passport-free Schengen zone out of fear of a backlash against irregular migration in the public sphere before elections in September. Additionally, border checks have been implemented in France, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia. In order to process claims from male asylum seekers wishing to join the EU, Italy has an agreement with Albania, a candidate for membership.
On Wednesday, the first individuals to be sent to Albania under the contentious migration agreement are scheduled to arrive. The Italian interior ministry confirmed Monday night that a navy vessel was en route to the port at Schëngjin carrying 16 men, 10 of whom were Bangladeshis and 6 of whom were Egyptians. The men were said to have arrived from Libya and were rescued by the Italian coastguard on Sunday in international waters.
Plans for external processing of asylum seekers, like the UK government’s agreement with Rwanda, have been criticized by some EU leaders in the past, but there is now growing support within the EU for a similar strategy. Originally a fairly liberal voice on migration, Germany has turned more hawkish and is not expected to oppose such initiatives.