Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen have warned against “uncontrolled migration” to Europe in a joint statement, again calling for so-called return centres outside the EU to send rejected asylum seekers back to their home countries.
“We don’t accept uncontrolled immigration to Europe, and we have spearheaded a strict immigration policy both in our home countries and in Europe,” read the statement, which Frederiksen posted on Instagram on Monday.
“None can deny that illegal immigration has a negative impact on our societies: growing crime rates, increasing pressure on public services and erosion of public trust. It is particularly serious when illegal migrants – who have no right to remain in our countries – commit violent crimes, engage in drug trafficking, or are responsible for sexual violence.”
The two leaders – the only two female heads of government in the European Union – insisted that “return hubs in third [non-EU] countries and other innovative solutions outside Europe must be implemented.”
Meloni and Frederiksen come from different ends of the political spectrum. The former leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, while Frederiksen is a Social Democrat.
“We come from very different political stances,” the statement acknowledged. “We certainly do not agree on everything.”
“But we are untied in our desire to protect Europe,” it added.
Deportation centres outside the EU, otherwise known as return hubs, have been debated for years and remain highly controversial within the bloc.