EU divided over asylum centers in third countries

The European Union is nearing a potential agreement on controversial new rules that would allow for the establishment of asylum centers in countries outside the EU. This measure is part of a broader EU asylum pact set to take effect soon, and it will also apply to Norway due to its Schengen membership.

Negotiations have been stalled over the timeline for implementing these regulations. While the European Parliament favors immediate application, the Council of the EU, representing the 27 member states, prefers a two-year transition period. However, a coalition of countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany, is moving forward independently.

These nations are already in discussions with eight to ten potential partner countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, to set up return centers. This initiative aims to streamline the process of returning asylum seekers who have received negative decisions, a group that currently sees only about 20% successfully returned to their home countries.

Despite the push for these external centers, human rights groups have voiced strong criticism, labeling them as potential "legal black holes." The debate highlights the EU's ongoing struggle to manage asylum flows and return rejected applicants, with significant divisions among member states on the best approach.

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Legal black holes