Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus have jointly rejected a proposed UK-France migrant deal, warning it could unfairly shift the burden of asylum seekers onto southern European nations.
In a formal letter to the European Commission, the five Mediterranean countries expressed “serious concerns” over reports that France is planning a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom on the return of migrants. The letter, seen by the Financial Times, highlights the potential consequences of such a deal for “first-entry” EU states—countries where migrants first arrive within the bloc.
The group warned that any arrangement struck outside the existing EU-UK framework for migration cooperation—agreed in May—could undermine broader European solidarity on the issue. That framework was designed to address irregular migration through joint efforts, rather than fragmented bilateral pacts.
Deal Risks Burdening Southern Europe
Under existing EU rules, migrants must apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. If a migrant reaches the UK after initially arriving in, for example, Italy or Greece, a return deal between London and Paris could see those migrants sent back to France—who could then try to send them to their EU point of entry. This, the five nations argue, places an unfair administrative and social burden on southern European states already grappling with high migrant arrivals.
The exact terms of the proposed UK-France agreement remain undisclosed, but France has reportedly signaled interest in advancing a bilateral returns pact ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to London on July 8.
London Pursuing Bilateral Migration Pacts
With broader migration negotiations between the EU and UK stalled, the British government has increasingly turned to direct deals with individual European capitals to manage migrant flows. The UK hopes to strengthen its ability to return failed asylum seekers to EU countries, a policy priority amid rising domestic pressure to curb irregular migration.
The five dissenting nations made clear that any such move should not come at the expense of EU-wide unity or the capacity of Mediterranean states. They called on the European Commission to ensure any bilateral arrangements do not bypass or weaken existing European agreements.
