Malta joins EU push for faster deportations of migrants using return hubs

Prime Minister Robert Abela has indicated Malta will back the European Commission’s call for “innovative solutions” on migration, a reference to the creation of so-called return hubs for deported migrants on the borders of Europe.

“Immigration can no longer be dealt with using traditional solutions because we know that they have not worked, so it is important we look at innovative solutions,” Abela said, echoing EC president Ursula von der Leyen in her message to EU leaders at a European Council summit in Brussels.

Abela told the press Malta was four-square behind the fight against human trafficking and faster returns. “Innovative solutions are crucial, including the concept of a return hub mechanism, which Malta proposed a few months ago.”

Abela told TVM that after Malta was criticised for housing asylum seekers rescued at sea on tourist vessels anchored outside Maltese waters, the rising pressures on member states from immigration was bringing about consensus on such alternative hosting measures.

“Med-9 countries spoke about innovative solutions... such as the Italian agreement with Albania, and which we have also proposed, in the form of a return hub mechanism for failed asylum seekers. In the case of migrants who cannot be easily deported to their alleged country of origin, we are seeking a third country that would host such failed asylum seekers, pending their onwards deportation.”

European leaders yesterday called for speedier returns from the European Union, using diplomacy, development, trade and visas as carrot-and-stick approaches with return countries. The European Commission has signalled a willingness to offshore migration procedures, echoing growing calls from member states.

Ursula von der Leyen offered her strongest endorsement yet to the controversial project of establishing so-called “return hubs” outside the European Union territory to transfer asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected.

Under the scheme, Italy has begun transferring certain groups of people seeking asylum to detention centres in Albania, where Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right government has built two centres to transfer male migrants rescued in high waters by Italian authorities.

Abela also said investment in education and economic growth in countries of origin would contribute to regional stability, prosperity and economic alternatives that could stem the demand for risky journeys across the treacherous Mediterranean sea.

Amnesty International urged European leaders to focus their efforts on humane and sustainable policies towards refugees and migrants, and to firmly reject proposals to establish ‘return hubs’ outside the EU.

“The European Commission’s shameful U-turn on return hubs and other so-called ‘innovative ways’ to counter migration is highly alarming,” said Amnesty director Eve Geddie. “For years, the Commission has failed to respond to member states that blatantly disregard EU and international law on asylum, now it seems intent on advancing its own proposals that are incompatible with human rights and international law.”

EU leaders today also discussed the Middle East, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, competitiveness, and the latest developments in Sudan and Venezuela.

Abela again stressed the importance of the two-state solution in Palestine, while pointing out that the European Union had to act more strategically over Iran’s involvement after Israel launched attacks both inside the country as well as against Iran-allied Hezbollah targets in South Lebanon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attended the European Council summit. Abela conveyed Malta’s position in favour of supporting Ukraine within the limits of the Malta’s constitutional neutrality.