Germany Seeks EU-Wide Deal to Relocate Rejected Asylum Seekers to Third Countries
German Interior Minister calls for EU-wide plan to send rejected asylum seekers to 'safe' third countries, citing migration pressures. Announces tougher border controls, says applications have dropped.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has called for a unified European approach to transfer rejected asylum seekers to third countries deemed “safe,” stating that national efforts alone will not be sufficient to address migration pressures on the continent.
In an interview published Saturday by Welt am Sonntag, Dobrindt stressed the urgency of finding alternative destinations for asylum seekers who cannot return to their countries of origin and have been denied entry into Germany or other EU states.
“We need third countries that are willing to take in migrants who, for practical reasons, cannot return to their home countries,” the minister said, adding, “this model can only succeed if implemented at the European level.”
Dobrindt’s remarks follow a recent European Commission proposal that would allow member states to reject asylum applications from migrants who passed through a “safe third country” before arriving in the EU. The proposal has yet to gain approval from either EU governments or the European Parliament and has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
Germany’s Toughened Border Measures Spark Mixed Reactions
Upon assuming office earlier this month, Dobrindt immediately ordered tighter border controls and the return of asylum seekers at Germany’s borders—excluding vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. These measures, which the minister described as part of Germany’s “new migration policy,” have elicited strong reactions from neighboring countries.
“The domino effect is already visible,” Dobrindt said, noting that Germany’s neighboring countries, including Switzerland and Poland, have also reinforced their own border controls in response. While some nations voiced concern, others expressed support.
“France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Austria have welcomed our approach,” he noted. “They had long viewed Germany’s previous open-door policy as a pull factor for irregular migration. Reducing Germany’s attractiveness helps ease pressure on transit countries.”
Migration Policy Shift Alters Regional Dynamics
The minister emphasized that Germany's new stance marks a clear break from past policies. “We are no longer willing to shoulder the disproportionate burden of irregular migration,” Dobrindt asserted. “There are no issues on Germany’s borders, and we are committed to ensuring our neighbors are not overwhelmed either.”
Meanwhile, other European efforts to outsource asylum processing to third countries have faced serious legal hurdles. Italy’s plan to relocate rescued migrants to Albania has stalled amid domestic legal challenges, while the UK’s controversial Rwanda scheme was shelved by Prime Minister Keir Starmer after his election last year.
“Germany No Longer a Guaranteed Entry Point”
Dobrindt concluded by saying that the German government’s toughened approach is already delivering results.
“Asylum applications at the borders have dropped sharply because the message is clear: entering the Federal Republic of Germany is no longer guaranteed—even for those seeking asylum,” he said.
The minister reiterated Germany’s commitment to collaborating with other EU states in laying the groundwork for a sustainable and coordinated migration framework, underscoring that unilateral actions will not resolve the continent’s complex migration challenges.
