Stocker announces deportations to return centers from 2027

The legal basis is the new EU Return Regulation, which the European Parliament adopted in June 2026. It cleared the way for "Return Hubs," that is, return centers outside the EU. Stocker admitted that a solution was still being worked on, "beide Länder werden aber von der Möglichkeit Gebrauch machen, Rückkehrzentren zu schaffen."

Mitsotakis expressly supported the initiative. "Wir brauchen legale Wege der Migration, die den Bedürfnissen unserer Volkswirtschaften entsprechen," the Greek head of government remarked, "wir brauchen aber auch ein effizienteres Rückkehrsystem für Menschen, die kein Recht auf Asyl haben." One had to "eine klare Botschaft senden," Mitsotakis said.

Figures as Argument for the Trend Reversal

To underpin his line, the Federal Chancellor pointed to concrete figures: "Wir hatten im ersten Halbjahr 2026 in Österreich mehr Außerlandesbringungen als Asylanträge." Numbers had also declined in Greece. Austria's strict approach with the stop to family reunification and border controls had already led to a "Trendwende," Stocker said.

Both countries see the planned centers as part of a comprehensive European approach. "Das ist keine nationale Aufgabe," the Chancellor emphasized. Austria has deployed 15 Frontex officers to the border region. "Der EU-Asylpakt hat die Rechtslage erheblich verbessert und ermöglicht nun eine konkrete, klare und faire Asylpolitik," Stocker said.

Criticism from Human Rights Organizations

The plans are not uncontroversial internationally. The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, proposed safeguards such as a comprehensive assessment of human rights risks in the respective countries, close monitoring of the situation, and parliamentary and judicial oversight. Other organizations also see "erhebliche Menschenrechtsrisken" in the planned "Return Hubs."

Beyond migration policy, the two heads of government also discussed Europe's competitiveness. "Wir können nicht von einem wettbewerbsfähigen Europa sprechen, wenn wir höhere Energiepreise zahlen als unsere wichtigsten Konkurrenten," Mitsotakis emphasized. Stocker and Mitsotakis also welcomed the EU Commission's contemplated slowdown of the CO2 reduction path in the EU Emissions Trading System.

Competitiveness and Energy Costs

"Wir müssen die Emissionen begrenzen, dürfen damit aber nicht unser Wirtschaftssystem beschränken," Mitsotakis said. "Wir wollen gemeinsam das Thema Energiekosten sehr hoch hinauf auf die EU-Agenda setzen," Stocker added. The Chancellor put it this way: "Wir dürfen der Industrie mit Klimapolitik nicht die Luft zum Atmen nehmen."

Both countries also want to deepen cooperation in tourism. The focus on Monday was on enhanced cooperation ranging from education and training, securing skilled workers, and the European labor market to issues such as year-round tourism and mountain tourism.

The EU accession plans of the Western Balkan states were also addressed. "Wir unterstützen die EU-Beitrittspläne der Westbalkan-Staaten. Damit wollen wir die proeuropäischen Kräfte in Serbien stärken," Mitsotakis said. "Man darf aber die anderen Länder des Westbalkans nicht aus den Augen verlieren," he warned. "Bei Themen wie Menschenrechten, Schutz von Minderheiten und der Einhaltung internationaler Verträge können wir keine Rabatte geben," the Greek head of government said.

Western Balkans and EU Enlargement

The meeting in Salzburg also had a cultural setting. The two heads of government had attended the premiere of Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen" at the Salzburg Festival on Sunday evening. Mitsotakis had been invited by Stocker to the Festival.

Overall, both sides presented their migration policy line as a signal to the European public. "Es geht um ein klares Signal," Stocker said. The emphasis on the joint line with Greece is seen as an attempt to form a broader alliance within the EU for a more restrictive asylum and return policy.

Critics warn that the planned centers could undermine the rule of law and human rights standards if they are located outside EU territory and subject to only limited oversight. Supporters argue that only a consistent return system can safeguard the credibility of the European asylum system.

Open Questions on Implementation

It remains to be seen in which third countries the "Return Hubs" are to be established. Stocker said solutions were still being worked on, without providing details. The precise design of the procedures as well as the EU Commission's financial and logistical involvement are also still unclear.

The meeting in Salzburg marks the start of closer Austrian-Greek coordination on migration, energy, and security policy issues. Both governments announced that they would deepen their cooperation further in the coming months.