MOSCOW, Aug 3 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed discussions on the establishment of migrant return centres in non-EU countries, with the first of these potentially opening as early as 2027, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Monday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
The initiative will be one of the main topics at Tuesday's informal online meeting of EU home affairs ministers. Italy will be represented by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
Rome hopes to conclude agreements with third countries, modelled on Italy's agreement with Albania, by the end of this year. Funding for the centres is expected to come from the EU.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supports Italy's initiative.
Twenty-two EU countries sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, proposing that they consider new protection mechanisms against illegal migration.
Rwanda and Uganda are the African countries furthest along in negotiations with their European partners. Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Germany are leading the way.
Greece, another country that has set the start of the experiment for 2027, is also pushing for the initiative.
Italy operates migrant centres abroad at its own expense and under its jurisdiction to process asylum applications, as well as to detain and expel undocumented immigrants.
However, Italian courts have repeatedly prohibited the detention of migrants, ordering their return to Italy, and, in a dispute with the executive branch, have challenged expedited border procedures for citizens of safe countries.
La Stampa newspaper reported that 73 people were transferred to Albania between October 2024 and January 2025. All were subsequently returned to Italy following court orders.
In the second phase, 685 people were transferred to Albania between May 2025 and mid-July 2026, fewer than 15 per cent of whom were repatriated.
According to Italian media reports, the cost of maintaining a centre in Gjader in 2025 was estimated at €50 million (US$57.67 million).
In late July, the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, on the North African coast, experienced a massive influx of migrants from neighbouring Morocco.
Spain deployed additional police, Civil Guard personnel and troops to the area in an effort to deter illegal crossings.
Mayor-President Juan Jesus Vivas announced on July 31 that approximately 60,000 people had entered Ceuta over a 24-hour period. The city's population stands at around 85,000.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI