EditKazakhstan strongly denies Politico report on potential EU “return hubs” for rejected migrants
The country is actively pursuing visa liberalization with the EU, emphasizing that its citizens represent a negligible irregular migration risk to the bloc
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly rejected any involvement in discussions about hosting centers for migrants whose asylum claims have been denied by EU countries, following a Politico report published on Monday.
Speaking at a briefing in Astana, MFA spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev stated that no such negotiations are taking place. “As far as I know, there are no such negotiations,” he said. Zhetybayev clarified that Kazakhstan is engaged in talks with the EU on visa facilitation for its citizens, paired with a readmission agreement. That pact obliges Kazakhstan to accept its own nationals who have left illegally, but it does not involve hosting migrant detention or return facilities.
Kazakhstan is actively pursuing visa liberalization with the EU, emphasizing that its citizens represent a negligible irregular migration risk to the bloc – a point underscored by its constructive cooperation on readmission agreements and overall low overstay rates.
Uzbekistan’s embassy in Brussels did not respond to requests for comment on the same day.
EU push for external “return hubs”
The Politico Playbook highlighted a coordinated effort by several EU member states to establish “return hubs” – controversial facilities in third countries where rejected asylum seekers could be sent while awaiting deportation. This forms part of a broader push to overhaul the EU’s migration policy and boost low return rates, which currently hover around 20-30% of issued orders.
Countries including the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Greece are working together on the initiative. The Netherlands has already received parliamentary approval to pursue such hubs, with concrete steps expected before the end of 2026. Deals with potential partner countries would likely include development aid or visa liberalization in exchange for cooperation.
One unnamed EU diplomat cited in the Politico report mentioned Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as possible partners among eight to ten countries being approached. However, EU governments have been cautious about naming specific nations publicly, citing sensitivities around past controversies such as the UK’s abandoned Rwanda plan and legal challenges to Italy’s facilities in Albania.
Italy-Albania protocol on migrant centres gets nod from the EU Advocate General
Context: the Returns Regulation
The push aligns with ongoing final negotiations on the EU’s new Returns Regulation, expected to replace the 2008 Returns Directive. Key elements include:
- Mutual recognition of return decisions across member states.
- Longer detention periods (up to 24 months in some cases).
- Legal framework for processing and detaining individuals in third-country “return hubs,” provided human rights standards (including non-refoulement) are met.
- Stronger measures to enforce returns amid political pressure from rising support for far-right parties across Europe.
EU officials aim to finalise aspects of the regulation imminently, with France and Germany among those advocating for swift implementation of the hubs provision.
The initiative reflects growing frustration in several EU capitals over irregular migration and failed returns, though it has drawn sharp criticism from NGOs concerned about potential human rights risks and the creation of “legal black holes” outside EU oversight.
Caption: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in Astana [Website of the MFA of Kazakhstan]
Updated: June 2, 2026 - 06:17
