19 EU countries call on EU to fund 'return hubs'

""Specifically, the EU countries want ... the Commission to help ensure, going forward, that the financing of, among other things, return centres can be done using EU funds," the Danish immigration ministry said in a statement, with the signed letter sent to the Commission attached. The European Parliament must still vote on the measures. Denmark has made illegal immigration one of its main battle horses during its six-month stint at the helm of the EU presidency, which ends at the end of the month."

""For years, Denmark has worked hard to persuade other European countries of Danish ideas such as moving the processing of asylum applications outside Europe, as well as other ideas involving cooperation with third countries outside the EU," the ministry added. "The group of EU countries that support such new and innovative solutions has steadily expanded," it said."

Interior ministers of the 27-member EU approved a package on December 8 that includes opening return hubs outside Europe and harsher penalties for migrants who refuse to leave. Nineteen EU countries urged the European Commission to enable financing of return centres, including through EU funds, and sent a signed letter requesting diplomatic and economic support. The European Parliament must still vote on the measures. Denmark has prioritized restricting illegal immigration during its six-month EU presidency. Denmark and its allies have promoted processing asylum applications outside Europe and cooperation with third countries to facilitate returns.

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