British migrant camps in North Macedonia: unravelling fact from fiction

Speculation about British migrant camps in North Macedonia has ignited controversy following a strategic partnership agreement signed between the two nations. This article investigates the origins of these claims, dissects official responses, and contextualizes the agreement to determine whether such camps are planned or merely a rumor.

Landmark agreement sparks debate

On 15 May, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a landmark intergovernmental agreement during a summit in Tirana. Hailed as a £5 billion investment cycle, the deal aims to bolster bilateral ties through:

• Economic development: Funding for infrastructure, including high-speed railways, highways, hospitals, and education initiatives.
• Security and defence: Strengthened collaboration to combat irregular migration and dismantle criminal trafficking networks.
• Trade: Promotion of shared economic interests and democratic values.

Mickoski described the agreement as a “new deal for Macedonia,” projecting job creation and transformative progress. (He ommitted naming his country by its official name, North Macedonia.) Starmer emphasised its role in deepening UK-North Macedonia relations and addressing regional challenges. However, the agreement’s initial lack of transparency fueled speculation about hidden provisions, particularly regarding migration.

The migrant camp controversy

Rumors of British migrant camps in North Macedonia emerged from reports suggesting the UK was exploring “return hubs” in the Western Balkans to process irregular migrants and facilitate their repatriation. These hubs, modeled on Italy’s migrant processing centers in Albania—which handle up to 36,000 asylum seekers annually—would theoretically alleviate pressure on the UK’s immigration system. The speculation gained traction due to North Macedonia’s participation in the Joint Migration Task Force alongside Albania and Kosovo, which focuses on curbing irregular migration.

The ruling VMRO-DPMNE party, led by Mickoski, swiftly debunked these claims as “absurd and malicious misinformation.” In an official statement, the party clarified: “No provision, announcement, or wording in the agreement refers to the establishment or organization of migrant camps on Macedonian territory.” Mickoski reinforced this at a Women’s Union conference, asserting that no discussions about camps had occurred. The British ambassador to North Macedonia echoed this, confirming the agreement’s focus on economic and security cooperation.

North Macedonia’s role in migration management

North Macedonia’s involvement in the Joint Migration Task Force underscores its commitment to regional efforts against irregular migration. The Western Balkans remain a key transit route, with the UK Foreign Office reporting 22,000 migrant entries into Europe via the region in 2024. The task force aims to disrupt trafficking networks and enhance border security, but it does not entail hosting migrant processing facilities.

Both Mickoski and Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani told Sky News that the UK had not formally proposed return hubs in their countries. Osmani expressed openness to future discussions but noted no requests had been made. Mickoski similarly stated he was unaware of any such plans, emphasising North Macedonia’s focus on economic benefits from the UK partnership.

Regional comparisons and the Italian precedent

The UK is reportedly negotiating with up to nine countries, including six in the Western Balkans (Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro), to address illegal migration. Albania, however, rejected a UK returns hub, with Prime Minister Edi Rama prioritising a “one-off” agreement with Italy. Italy’s model, upheld by its Court of Cassation in May 2025, allows migrant detention in Albanian centres like Gjader for repatriation, even for asylum seekers. This precedent has fueled speculation about similar arrangements elsewhere, though no evidence suggests North Macedonia is involved.

The Albanian-Italian deal has faced legal and ethical scrutiny, with migrants’ lawyers arguing it violates international asylum rights. This controversy may explain North Macedonia’s cautious stance, as public and political backlash could arise from any perceived alignment with such policies.

The UK’s push for return hubs

At a press conference with Rama, Starmer acknowledged discussions with multiple countries about return hubs but offered no details. A Downing Street spokesperson clarified that the Tirana summit with Mickoski centered on economic growth, trade, and security, with no mention of migration facilities. The UK’s interest in return hubs stems from persistent challenges with small boat crossings across the English Channel, which have drawn criticism from Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who advocates reviving the Rwanda deportation scheme. Starmer’s government, however, appears to favor regional partnerships like the Joint Migration Task Force over unilateral deportation plans.

Public and political fallout

The lack of transparency surrounding the UK-North Macedonia agreement initially fuelled media speculation and public unease. VMRO-DPMNE accused outlets of spreading disinformation, urging citizens to focus on the deal’s projected €6 billion in investments. Mickoski framed the partnership as a historic opportunity to modernise North Macedonia, contrasting it with the “baseless” camp rumors.

No credible evidence supports claims of British migrant camps in North Macedonia. While the UK explores migration solutions elsewhere, North Macedonia’s role remains confined to regional task force efforts, with its sights set on economic progress rather than migration processing. As Mickoski told supporters, “Our future lies in jobs and infrastructure, not rumours.”

Sources: VMRO-DPMNE official statements, Sky News, UK Foreign Office migration data, 2024, Italian Court of Cassation ruling, May 2025, edited by a.k.

Caption: Starmer and Mickoski in Tirana, @MatthewLawsonUK on X

Updated: May 19, 2025 - 12:00