French President Emanuel Macron said today that his country will not set up Return Centres for migrants outside the borders of the European Union, judging that they are neither effective nor consistent with European values.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, at a press conference he granted after the summit today, said his country also opposed return centres, but was in the minority. He argued that these centres "will simply waste financial resources and Europe does not have many".
"Yes, in a policy against irregular immigration, which will make us more effective, which leads to returns (...) As far as France is concerned, not in Return Centres in third countries," the French President said after the summit of European leaders in Brussels was completed.
"Because I believe that they are not effective, nor are they consistent with our own principles," he added, but stating that he respects countries that want to establish such centres.
French President Macron on return hubs:
There is the question of these so-called return centers in third countries. France does not support them.
We support a more effective return policy.
I have never seen a return center in a third country that actually works.
You're... pic.twitter. com/AW73HEbfnq— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 19, 2026
"I have never seen a Return Center in a third country that works," Macron insisted.
The French President also made it clear that he would oppose the use of the European budget for the construction of such centres, as he considers that these "regard each State's policy" separately.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the revision of the system of return of non-asylum migrants, a reform involving the possibility for Member States to conclude agreements to build return centres in third countries outside the EU's borders.
Many European countries, such as Denmark, Italy or Austria, are in favour of creating such centres, as they consider that they will facilitate repatriation and prevent potential irregular immigrants.