Greece open to idea of centers outside EU for rejected asylum seekers

ATHENS

Greece’s prime minister on Friday voiced support for a proposal to send migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected by the EU but who cannot be repatriated to centers located outside the bloc.

"It’s still at the idea stage, not yet developed. In principle, I find it positive," he told reporters after an EU leaders’ summit.

Those who are not entitled to asylum have no place in Europe and cannot remain here, he added, and they should be returned to their countries of origin.

Only one in five asylum seekers whose applications are rejected in the EU can be returned to their countries of origin, he said.

He said his stance will be fully realized when the bloc can determine who enters the EU.

The next step is to establish a European framework for the return of rejected asylum seekers, he said.