In Brussels

EU leaders call for urgent new return directive

For Rome, the hawks' meeting marked the beginning of a journey that has the December EU summit as its first crucial date

by Redaction Rome

17 October 2024

4' min read

Key points

The Offensive of Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands
So-called "returns hub"
The preparatory meeting
December EU summit
The Albania model
The Syrian question
Sanchez, forward with implementation of migration pact
Meloni, left attacks but EU discusses Albania model

4' min read

The EU leaders call on the European Commission to submit "a new legislative proposal as a matter of urgency" on returns. "The European Council," the summit conclusions read, "calls for determined action at all levels to facilitate, increase and speed up returns from the EU, using all relevant EU policies, instruments and means, including diplomacy, development, trade and visas. "Innovative ways to counter irregular migration, in line with EU and international law, should also be considered," the leaders added. The European Council ended, President Giorgia Meloni left the Europe Building heading to Jordan.

The offensive of Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands

Eleven member states plus one, where that one is Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The offensive that Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands took to the EU summit on returns was met with an important following and marked the incipit of a new securitarian approach that is making its way through Brussels.

The so-called 'returns hub'

A plan that has, as its symbol, the so-called 'return hubs', i.e. centres for the repatriation of irregular migrants. All, strictly speaking, outside European borders. In Albania, Uganda, Kosovo. In third countries that, by modifying the return directive and the rules in force, can be defined as safe.

The preparatory meeting

Before the start of the summit of the 27 Giorgia Meloni, Mette Frederiksen and Dick Schoof gathered the so-called 'like-minded' countries on migrants. There were 15 invited guests, and the Baltics and Finland, which however have a similar position, as well as Sweden, marked the visit. Sitting with the eleven leaders was also von der Leyen. His participation went far from unnoticed and confirmed a political fact: the axis between Ursula and Meloni is firm on the main European dossiers and the possible appointment of Raffaele Fitto as executive vice-president of the Commission will make it firm. "The left only thinks of attacking us in an incosistent and gratuitous manner while almost the whole of Europe discusses our initiatives," Meloni stressed, replying to Elly Schlein, also in Brussels, who returned to harshly attack the Rome-Tirana protocol. At the table of the 27 Meloni explained how the Albania model can act as a 'deterrent' against traffickers and prevent departures.

During December EU summit

For Rome, the hawks' meeting marked the beginning of a path that has the December EU summit as its first crucial date. The starting point, for the 11, is von der Leyen's letter of last Monday. A new repatriation directive, the establishment of hubs outside the EU, and the definition of a safe third country are the pillars of the squeeze.

The Albania Model

The Albania model is one of those considered but not the only one. Italy sends migrants to the Balkan country while waiting for the asylum procedure to be completed. Holland and Denmark have put two alternatives on the table: Uganda and Kosovo. But in this case the hubs would host migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, waiting for them to return to their countries of origin.

The Syrian issue

The discussion between the 11 also touched on the Syrian issue. Italy supports 'a voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of Syrians', Italian sources said. Austria and Cyprus are ready to support an initiative that, with the crisis in Lebanon, is even more urgent for Meloni. At the EU summit, however, the plan for non-EU hubs seemed almost diluted in a renewed clash over migration. 'Many have said they are considering the option but we cannot speak of a broad consensus,' qualified European sources explained.

The conclusions have been amended several times, subject to the claims of individual states and a debate affected by the rise of right-wingers across Europe. Poland reiterated its suspension of the right to asylum, raising the problem of the hybrid threats that Moscow and Minsk realise with migration. Some, like Germany, have called for the implementation of the Migration Pact to be brought forward on certain points such as secondary movements, which Italy certainly does not like. Some have pivoted precisely on the Migration and Asylum Pact away from the idea of hubs outside the EU. "For us they are not the solution," stressed Olaf Scholz. With him Pedro Sanchez, who turned the spotlight back on the balance between human rights and the fight against traffickers. A 'singular' position, that of the Spanish Prime Minister, commented Interior Minister Matteo Piantesosi: 'They criticise us about Albania but they shoot migrants'. Belgium called the Albania model 'expensive and not working' and even Greece did not show enthusiasm. Among the big ones, the French unknown remains. Sources in Renew, led de facto by Emmanuel Macron, explained that they did not want 'shortcuts' on migration, responding to the EPP's praise of the Albania model. But from Paris they let it be known that France could sign agreements similar to those of Meloni and Edi Rama. Thus showing all the distances that mark the relationship between Prime Minister Michel Barnier and the tenant of the Elysée Palace.

Sanchez, forward with the implementation of the Migration Pact

"On many occasions, geography is more important than ideology: there are countries that suffer from secondary movements and political affiliations. Sometimes I can be closer to a Mediterranean country than a political ally. In Von der Leyen's letter there are many proposals we share: it is possible to find common elements, such as some we will fight against. But after sanctioning the European Pact with our presidency, many countries like us want to accelerate its implementation'. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said this at the end of the EU Council. "Now we have to develop it after so many years of work: with a sense of responsibility and humanity," he concluded.

Meloni, left attacks but EU discusses Albania model

"Curious to note how, while almost the whole of Europe discusses our initiatives to curb irregular immigration and stop human trafficking, some nations considering them as models, the Italian left only thinks of attacking them in an inconsistent and gratuitous manner. Defending the borders and stopping human trafficking is not only our duty, but a priority for Italy and for the whole of Europe'. This is what the premier wrote on X, while she is at the EU summit. In the morning, also from Brussels, PD secretary Elly Schlein harshly attacked the Italy-Albania Protocol.