Rwanda Holds Preliminary Talks with EU States on Possible Migrant Return Hubs

KIGALI, Oct. 13 (EME) – Rwandan officials have held preliminary discussions with several European Union member states about the possibility of hosting facilities for migrants transferred from Europe, two European Parliament lawmakers said after meetings in Kigali. No agreements have been reached and talks remain at an early stage.

The discussions involve Germany, Austria, Denmark, Greece and the Netherlands, which have been exploring “return hubs” outside the EU for people whose asylum claims have been rejected. Lawmakers were shown sites previously prepared under the United Kingdom’s abandoned Rwanda scheme. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed a visit by representatives of the five countries had taken place and that negotiations were ongoing. Rights groups have raised concerns about safeguards. Rwanda has previously engaged with Western partners on migration arrangements.

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