The Nordic ministers responsible for immigration met on 18 February 2026 to discuss the implementation of the rules related to the safe third country concept and return hubs located outside of the EU. The Finnish minister initiated this discussion and expressed that a return hub located outside of the EU could be one solution to render returns more efficient and increase voluntary returns. The minister emphasised that cooperation is key among Nordic countries on return-related aspects.
The ministers also discussed the new rules on the application of the concept of a safe third country and challenges related to returns to Afghanistan and Syria.
Source(s)
- Ministry of the Interior | Sisäministeriö (18 February, 2026), Pohjoismaiden maahanmuutosta vastaavat ministerit keskustelevat palautuksiin liittyvästä yhteistyöstä [Nordic ministers responsible for migration to discuss cooperation on returns],