French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected the idea of establishing migrant return hubs in third countries, arguing that such facilities have not proven effective and may conflict with
European values.
Speaking in Brussels on Friday at the conclusion of a two-day European Union summit, Macron said France supports stronger policies to return migrants who are not eligible to remain in Europe, but does not back the creation of offshore return centres.
"We are in favour of a more effective return policy, but I have never seen a return centre in a third country that actually works," Macron told reporters.
His comments came days after the European Parliament approved a major overhaul of EU migration rules aimed at accelerating deportations and allowing the use of offshore detention centres. The reforms have drawn criticism from rights groups, which argue they weaken asylum protections and take a tougher approach to migration.
Macron also raised concerns about whether the proposed hubs are consistent with the principles on which the European Union was founded.
"I'm not sure that's what our Europe is about. I'm not sure that these are the fundamental principles on which our Europe was built, and I don't believe it's effective either," he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed Macron's position, saying Spain opposes the establishment of return hubs despite being in the minority among EU member states on the issue.
Speaking after the summit, Sánchez argued that such facilities would not deliver meaningful results and would place an unnecessary financial burden on Europe.
"The return hubs are simply going to waste economic resources, and Europe doesn't have many of those," he said.
The debate highlights growing divisions within the EU over how to manage migration, as member states seek solutions to rising political pressure over border control and asylum policy.
