Greece, in cooperation with Germany, is developing a plan to create a “return center” for illegal immigrants in an “African country considered safe,” said Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris in a television interview on ERT.

“Already,” the minister added, “discussions are underway with safe African countries that would accept illegal migrants whom we cannot return to their homelands.”

He also explained that this will not be done under the auspices of the European Union, but through the member states. “Germany has taken a serious initiative, and we have officially expressed interest in participating in it. If these centers are outside the European continent, they act as a deterrent for migrants,” Mr. Plevris added.

Regarding the ongoing arrivals of illegal immigrants, the minister stated: “Since the law on illegal migration was passed and asylum was suspended—that is, during August, September, October, and the first half of November—arrivals in the country have decreased by 45–50% compared to the same period in 2024. Last year, we had around 23,000 arrivals, and this year around 12,000. Now, there is a significant difference, and today we are 18% lower compared to last year, whereas in July we had an upward trend.

Good cooperation with Turkey in prevention has played a role; even if they don’t accept migrants, there have been reductions in this area exceeding 50%. Likewise, improved diplomacy regarding Libya has helped.

Even for those coming from conflict zones, we will take a more restrictive approach to assess whether Greece was truly their only option.”

Regarding the return of migrants, Thanos Plevris emphasized that “this is our top priority at the moment, with returns ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 per year. This number must increase so that, combined with the reduction in arrivals, the number of people remaining—either granted asylum or staying illegally—also decreases.”