Armenia’s Foreign Ministry Rejects Reports It Could Host EU Migrant Detention Center

Armenia has denied reports suggesting it could host a European Union-funded migrant detention center, with the country’s Foreign Ministry saying no proposal has been received and no discussions have taken place with Yerevan.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan rejected the claims in a statement to media.

“We have not received such a proposal, and no such issue has been discussed with us,” Badalyan told Armenpress. 

The denial follows a report by Euronews that Italy is preparing to present a proposal to establish migrant return centers in “safe third countries” outside the European Union. The initiative, modeled on Italy’s agreement with Albania, is expected to be introduced by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi during an extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers.

Under the proposal, migrants who enter the EU irregularly would be transferred to facilities outside the bloc while their asylum or immigration cases are processed. Euronews reported that several African countries are under consideration, with Uganda viewed as one of the most likely locations. The report said the centers would likely be financed through EU funding, although discussions on the mechanism are still ongoing.

The outlet also reported that a broader list of countries mentioned in discussions includes Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Montenegro and Armenia.

On Monday, The Armenian Report, citing the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, reported that Armenia had appeared on a preliminary list of potential host countries. The report also noted that the list came exclusively from the Italian publication and had not been confirmed by either the European Union or Armenian authorities.

Tuesday’s response from Armenia’s Foreign Ministry is the government’s first official comment on the issue and flatly rejects claims that the country has been approached about hosting such a facility.

The European Union has not published an official list of countries being considered for the proposed return centers.

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