Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is being considered as one of the possible third countries to which European Union countries could send migrants who have been denied asylum and have no right to remain in the EU.
POLITICO reported this, citing Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris and two EU diplomats familiar with the matter. Rwanda and Uganda are also among the possible destinations.
The initiative involves the so-called Core Group, comprising Greece, Denmark, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.
The five countries plan to launch a pilot project in the first half of 2027 and move it to full operation in the second half of the year.
According to Plevris, the initiative would not necessarily involve establishing special migrant centres. Instead, agreements would be concluded with third countries where people who have received a final decision denying them the right to remain in the EU could be returned.
The minister said the group’s countries are prepared to consider various forms of cooperation proposed by the third countries themselves, including existing camps or broader integration programmes.
The participants in the initiative are also negotiating with international organizations on monitoring mechanisms to ensure respect for human rights. Plevris said responsibility for implementing the project would be shared by the five European countries.
The project is also expected to be financed by the Core Group countries. Plevris said the group expects the European Commission to participate at a later stage.
At the same time, Uzbekistan’s position on the possible placement of returned migrants remains separate from the European countries’ initiative.
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry previously said that no negotiations are currently underway on establishing a centre in the country for returned migrants.
Thus, the mention of Uzbekistan in the POLITICO report reflects its consideration by the European side as one of the possible destinations, but does not indicate that an agreement has been reached with Tashkent.
