Emmanuel Macron made these remarks while strongly criticizing the growing proposal to establish “return hubs” for rejected asylum seekers.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have issued a strong and sharp criticism of the creation of “deportation camps” outside the European Union, placing their countries in opposition to a growing political majority in Europe.

During Friday’s summit, 19 EU leaders signed a joint statement calling for the “full use” of the EU’s new migration law, which allows the creation of so-called return hubs to host migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected.

This coalition, led by Denmark and Italy and strongly in favour of outsourcing migration policy, wants to move as quickly as possible toward solutions in third countries.

However, from the perspective of Macron and Sánchez, this approach is in conflict with European values and risks wasting financial resources while weakening relations with neighbouring African countries.

Macron said at the end of the summit:
I am not sure this is our Europe. I don’t know whether these are the fundamental principles on which Europe was built or not.

He added:
And I don’t think this policy is effective. The reason is that I have not seen anyone actually make it work so far.

He also said that although France supports stricter laws to reduce irregular migration, it draws a red line against the physical transfer of migrants to distant countries where they have never set foot. According to him, this possibility is included in the new Return Regulation, described as the strictest migration law in Europe.

Macron said:
In fact, there is a debate about these so-called return hubs in third countries. France does not support this policy. We are in favour of a more effective return policy. But I have never seen a return hub in a third country that actually works.

He added that, in practical terms, this means that people who do not want or cannot return to their country of origin would be sent to a third country that accepts them in exchange for money.

Macron also mocked the term “innovative solutions” used by supporters of this policy, saying he is very cautious about using the word “innovation” when it comes to values and human rights.

He said:
I am in favour of innovation in my country, but I am very cautious about innovation in values and human rights

Meanwhile, Sánchez, a strong critic of the plan, said that such camps would be an “ineffective” and “useless” response to irregular migration.

He said:
It is a mirage. In practice, it would simply waste economic resources, and Europe does not have many of them

He also added that the policy sends the wrong message to countries of origin and transit, with which Europe should instead cooperate and show greater empathy.

Macron echoed Sánchez’s concerns about Europe’s reputation and said he would not allow EU funds to be used to build such camps, as they are neither effective nor in line with European principles.

He said:
Sometimes, some countries propose policies regarding Africa. So how can we maintain our credibility on that continent if we say we will use investment money to build return hubs in those same countries?