Nordic ministers responsible for migration to discuss cooperation on returns

The Nordic ministers responsible for migration will hold a video conference on 18 February on the initiative of Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The topics on their agenda will include return hubs located outside the EU and the implementation of the asylum application process in safe third countries.

“A return hub operating outside the EU would be one solution for improving the effectiveness of returns and increasing voluntary returns. Nordic cooperation on return issues is very important,” says Minister Rantanen.

A person staying illegally in the EU could be transferred to a return hub to wait until they can be returned to their country of origin. In principle, the Nordic countries take a positive view of return hubs.

Negotiations on a new return regulation are still ongoing in the EU. In March 2025, the European Commission submitted a proposal for a new return regulation that aims to improve the effectiveness of the return of persons staying illegally in the EU and to prevent unauthorised movements within the Schengen area.

The ministers will also discuss the implementation of the asylum application process in safe third countries. The idea is to make it possible for persons seeking asylum in the EU to go through the asylum process and receive international protection in safe countries outside the EU more often than at present. This is further supported by the Commission's proposed amendment regulation concerning safe third countries, which was submitted in spring 2025 and adopted by the European Parliament on 11 February 2026. The amendment will expand the application of the safe third country concept.

Items on the agenda also include returns to Syria and Afghanistan. Nordic cooperation may also help resolve the challenges related to these returns.

Inquiries:
Minna Hulkkonen, Director General, tel. +358 295 488 600, [email protected]