Italy and Denmark call for repatriation centres in third countries
EL RIGOR · 10 de agosto de 2026, 21:45 · 2 min read
Cross-checked in sources from El Español, El País, Europa Press, Libertad Digital, elDiario.es
Italy and Denmark Call for Repatriation Centres in Third Countries
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have rejected uncontrolled immigration and proposed the establishment of repatriation centres in third countries to address the migration crisis. This call comes in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta, where Italy introduced controls at airports and ports for travellers from Spain. Subsequently, the Spanish government also imposed similar controls for passengers arriving from Italy.
Meloni and Frederiksen argue that "no one can deny the negative consequences of illegal immigration on our societies: increased crime rates, growing pressure on public services, and erosion of public trust." They further point out that this situation is "particularly serious when illegal immigrants, who have no right to remain in our countries, commit violent crimes, drug trafficking, or are responsible for sexual violence."
The leaders are calling for the establishment of "repatriation centres in third countries, as well as other innovative solutions outside Europe." Italy has already undertaken a similar project in Albania and is now considering some African countries. According to the latest Frontex report, the number of irregular border crossings into the European Union reached 39,000 during the first five months of 2026, representing a reduction of almost 40% compared to the same period last year.
Meloni and Frederiksen assert that "respect for our laws must go hand in hand with respect for European values. This applies equally to irregular migrants and the millions of foreign citizens who legally reside in our countries and throughout Europe." "We are both proud of Europe's Christian cultural heritage and want to protect it. We expect those who come to our countries and choose Europe as their home to respect our values and not impose lifestyles on us that we do not share," they state.
The next step will be to see how these proposals are implemented and how other EU countries react. The creation of repatriation centres in third countries poses numerous legal and humanitarian challenges, and its success will largely depend on international cooperation and the willingness of involved governments.
Piece prepared by the newsroom from cross-checked sources in several countries.