Spain rejects Von der Leyen’s proposal on deportation centres outside the EU

Ane Barcos/Aquí Europa The Government of Spain has confirmed its rejection of the proposal by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to open deportation centres for irregular migrants in third countries, in line with the model promoted by the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Von der Leyen announced earlier this week her intention to present a plan to create these centres outside the EU during the European Council meeting - which begins on Thursday and will end on Friday - while the cases of the migrants are processed. In a letter addressed to the European heads of state and government, the president of the Commission asked to "continue exploring possible avenues of progress" regarding the "creation of return centres outside the European Union". However, the Spanish government has distanced itself from this proposal. "Spain has expressed its position against contemplating the creation of centres in third countries. What we will continue to defend in Europe is the application of a migration policy based on solidarity and respect for human rights, in line with the Migration and Asylum Pact," said the government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, on Tuesday during the press conference following the Council of Ministers. «Our commitment is to regular and safe migration routes, working with countries of origin and transit, and combating mafias that traffic in human beings.» The spokesperson also stressed that Spain's migration policy is working: «We have managed to reduce irregular departures from some countries by 40%». Von der Leyen's proposal follows the line of the agreement negotiated by the Italian government of Giorgia Meloni with Albania, through which Italy will transfer migrants who have requested asylum in its territory to centres in Albania, where their requests will be processed. This approach has generated controversy in other EU countries, such as Spain, which rejects this type of agreement. Tensions over the possible migrant centre at Ciudad Real airport At the national level, the possible creation of an Emergency Reception and Referral Centre (CAED) for immigrants at the Ciudad Real airport facilities, which has been inoperative since 2011, has caused tensions between the central government and the local and regional authorities of Castilla-La Mancha. During the debate on the State of the Region, held on October 15, the regional president, Emiliano García-Page, expressed his firm opposition to the measure, claiming that no one had informed his government about this proposal. García-Page urged Sánchez to call a Conference of Presidents to address the migration issue, stressing that the facilities at Ciudad Real airport "do not meet the requirements to accommodate immigrants."

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