Armenian Foreign Ministry: No Discussions Held on Establishing Migrant Detention Center in Armenia

YEREVAN — No proposal has been presented to Yerevan to establish a detention center in Armenia for irregular migrants from European Union member states, and no such matter has been discussed with the Armenian side.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan made the statement in response to reports that Italy planned to raise the issue of establishing migrant detention centers in several countries, including Armenia, during an August 4 meeting of the Council of the European Union.

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

Euronews reported on August 3 that Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi would present a proposal at the August 4 EU Council meeting to establish facilities for irregular migrants in several countries.

According to the report, several African countries are being considered as potential host nations, with Uganda viewed as one of the most likely options.

Italy is proposing the creation of a network of migrant detention centers outside the European Union to assist in managing irregular migration. Under the proposal, the new facilities would be financed by the EU.

Euronews reported that Italy has proposed establishing such centers in several African countries, as well as in other nations located outside traditional migration routes. The list of potential host countries reportedly includes Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Montenegro.

Euronews also reported that a draft of the Italian proposal had been published by several Italian news outlets and confirmed by Italian officials.