To make a mess is a matter of habit

The European Union is not abandoning its attempts to shift its problems with illegal migrants onto Uzbekistan.

According to the newspaper, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands intend to launch a pilot project starting in 2027: migrants who have been denied asylum will have to either return to their homeland or go to a third country outside the EU. Anonymous European diplomats name Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan among the possible destinations for resettlement.

The article states that the goal of the plan, which is proposed for implementation in five countries, is not to create closed centers for the repatriation of migrants from Uzbekistan. Instead, it is proposed to reach an agreement with Tashkent on accepting migrants who have been denied asylum in the European Union. The terms of such an agreement would be determined by the Uzbek authorities with the participation of international organizations and with funding from the EU. They could include both the creation of temporary camps for migrants and the development of comprehensive integration programs.

The five EU countries expect to launch the pilot project in the first half of 2027 and complete its deployment in the second half of the same year. During this period, Greece will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU. The initiators still have to resolve funding issues and develop mechanisms to protect the rights of migrants.

Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris spoke positively of the strict migration policy measures of US President Donald Trump. He also pointed out that the Pact on Migration and Asylum has been in force in the European Union since June. This document simplifies the procedures for reviewing asylum applications and denials, and also provides for the possibility of deporting migrants to safe third countries under certain conditions.

Uzbekistan and the European Union cooperate in the field of migration on the basis of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, signed in October 2025. This document opens up the possibility of discussing issues of readmission, that is, the return of Uzbek citizens residing illegally in the EU, as well as visa facilitation, a process that has already begun.

In June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan denied that it was negotiating with the European Union on the creation of centers for migrants subject to deportation. Nevertheless, the country has agreements with Germany and Austria that allow the transit of migrants from the EU through Uzbekistan to third countries.