UK draws up list of nine countries for migrant ‘return hubs’ plan

• The UK is considering Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other countries as potential locations for offshore "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers.
• These hubs would house asylum seekers who have exhausted their appeals process before being deported back to their home countries.
• While Kosovo's president expressed openness to discussions, no formal talks have occurred yet. North Macedonia also confirmed not being formally approached.
• The UK aims to initiate discussions before a Western Balkans leaders' meeting in London this autumn.
• The Western Balkans region saw nearly 22,000 irregular migrant crossings into Europe last year, prompting concerns about migration routes and organized crime.

IN FULL

UK ‘to ask Kosovo’ to take failed asylum seekers in overseas ‘return hubs plan’