Finland Explores External Asylum Return Center with Nordic Neighbors

Finland is investigating the possibility of establishing a return center outside the European Union for asylum seekers, in collaboration with other Nordic nations. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated that the government is exploring this option, though no potential host country has been identified yet. Rantanen suggested that such centers should ideally be located near countries from which repatriating individuals proves difficult.

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I think the countries should be located close to those countries from which we have difficulties returning people.

The opportunity to create these external return centers arose this week following the approval of a new EU return regulation by member states and the European Parliament. This regulation permits member states to establish facilities outside the EU to process individuals who have received negative asylum decisions. While Finland is in the exploratory phase, its Swedish counterpart, Johan Forssell, indicated that Sweden is observing the development rather than actively pursuing it.

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It is more a question we are following than something we are actively working on.

Denmark, however, has been a long-time advocate for return centers and aims to be at the forefront of their establishment. Danish Interior Minister Morten Bødskov expressed his country's intention to begin concrete negotiations with a potential host country by the end of the year. Bødskov participated in a breakfast meeting with other EU interior ministers in Luxembourg to coordinate efforts and accelerate the establishment of these centers.

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We tried to coordinate and see if we could speed up the establishment of return centers.

Denmark has formed a five-country group, including the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Greece, to advance the establishment of return centers. The Netherlands is reportedly far along in its preparations, having signed a letter of intent with Uganda last fall and hoping to finalize a cooperation agreement this year. Germany shares a similar timeline. Alongside return centers, some EU countries are considering other measures, such as reception centers outside the EU, where asylum seekers would await the processing of their applications.

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It is entirely possible that the asylum process will be moved to third countries, but there is no concrete progress on this matter yet.