Kosovo agrees to host Britain’s refused asylum seekers

Published: 22 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Kosovo has emerged as the first country to offer asylum to asylum seekers whose applications have been refused by the United Kingdom, signalling a potential new chapter in the UK government’s controversial plans to establish “return hubs” in third countries. The initiative, which has been debated heavily in political and humanitarian circles, would see individuals who have exhausted all avenues of appeal being relocated to foreign facilities for processing and, in some cases, temporary detention.

Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, confirmed that discussions with British officials were ongoing, emphasising that his country wishes to “help the UK” amid the mounting pressures on its asylum and immigration system. According to Kurti, the cooperation would be mutually beneficial and focused on ensuring that the process is managed smoothly while respecting the limited capacity of Kosovo’s infrastructure.

Kurti said, “We consider this a friendly and political duty. While our country’s capacity is limited, we want to assist and are actively communicating with UK officials and legal teams to ensure the process is conducted efficiently and respectfully.” He also highlighted that, in return, Kosovo would seek support in areas such as national security, including strategic agreements, equipment, and collaborative projects that could benefit the country. “We want to benefit as a nation, of course, but our first obligation is to help because of the support we have historically received from the UK,” Kurti added.

The move positions Kosovo as an outlier in the western Balkans, where other nations have expressed reluctance or conditional interest in hosting UK asylum seekers. Earlier this year, Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, described the concept of Britain “looking for places to dump immigrants” as inconceivable prior to Brexit. Rama noted, “The fact that it is now being considered reflects the profound changes in Britain’s political and social environment over the past decade.”

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina has expressed no willingness to accept migrants from the UK, with Željko Komšić, chairman of its presidency, clarifying that his country would not participate in the return hub scheme. Montenegro, on the other hand, indicated a conditional openness. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said that while his country was prepared to negotiate, any agreement would be contingent on substantial UK investment in infrastructure to support the asylum processing centres.

The announcement from Kosovo comes ahead of a planned summit in London on Wednesday, convened by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, aimed at coordinating regional efforts to manage migration across the western Balkans. The summit will bring together leaders from neighbouring countries to discuss strategies to combat irregular migration, enhance border security, and establish cooperative mechanisms for processing and returning asylum seekers.

In a statement to the media, Starmer described the summit as a step towards “shutting down a criminal highway leading through the western Balkans.” He outlined plans for a joint migration taskforce with partner countries to “detect, deter, and manage illegal migration,” including the deployment of British drones and scanners at critical checkpoints. According to Starmer, these efforts have already contributed to a nearly 50% reduction in irregular border crossings through the region. He emphasised that collaborative approaches, rather than unilateral measures or criticism, are key to managing migration effectively.

Starmer pointed to successful cooperation with Albania, noting that small boat arrivals from the country had dropped by 95% over the past year due to joint initiatives. He stressed that the UK intends to replicate this model with other Western Balkan nations, creating a coordinated network to manage the flow of migrants while respecting international obligations.

The UK government first proposed the concept of “return hubs” in May, as part of a broader plan to manage asylum seekers more efficiently. These hubs are intended to process individuals whose asylum claims have been refused or whose cases have become stalled due to missing documentation. Government officials argue that the centres will provide a structured environment to facilitate compliance with deportation procedures while preventing delays caused by legal appeals or administrative challenges.

However, refugee charities and human rights organisations have voiced strong criticism of the plan. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, argued that relocating individuals to countries where they have no prior connection creates fear and panic, ultimately undermining the effectiveness of the asylum system. “Threatening to detain people in countries they’ve never visited causes unnecessary distress and low compliance rates. Any approach to returns must be humane, orderly, and evidence-based to be successful,” Solomon said.

Critics also warn that the UK’s return hub strategy may strain diplomatic relations with partner countries and could place vulnerable individuals in precarious conditions far from legal support and social networks. While Kosovo has expressed willingness to cooperate, the limited capacity of smaller nations in the region raises questions about whether adequate housing, healthcare, and legal assistance can be provided to relocated asylum seekers.

In response, the UK government has emphasised that it is working closely with partner countries to address these concerns and ensure that the hubs operate in accordance with international standards. Officials have described the scheme as part of a broader strategy to tackle irregular migration while maintaining public safety and compliance with legal obligations.

The decision by Kosovo to participate represents a significant development in UK asylum policy, signalling the first concrete agreement to host refused asylum seekers abroad. It also highlights the geopolitical dimensions of migration, as small countries in the western Balkans seek to balance humanitarian obligations, domestic capacity, and international partnerships with larger nations like the UK.

Observers note that the move could serve as a model for other nations in the region, provided adequate safeguards and support systems are in place. The success of the Kosovo agreement may influence whether countries such as Montenegro or others with conditional interest ultimately participate in similar arrangements.

As the summit in London approaches, attention is focused on how Western Balkan leaders will respond to the UK’s proposals and whether broader regional cooperation can be achieved. The UK government has framed the initiative as a pragmatic solution to ongoing challenges in managing migration, particularly given the pressures on domestic asylum processing systems and the need to ensure compliance with deportation orders.

The discussions also underscore the complex interplay between migration policy, international diplomacy, and human rights considerations. Advocates for refugees continue to stress the importance of transparency, legal oversight, and protections for individuals subject to relocation. They argue that any attempt to expedite deportations or centralise processing abroad must not compromise the safety and dignity of asylum seekers.

While Kosovo’s agreement marks a notable milestone, the broader implementation of return hubs will require careful negotiation, clear operational planning, and international monitoring to prevent potential abuses or logistical failures. As officials prepare for the London summit, all eyes will be on whether a collaborative, coordinated framework can be established that balances the UK’s immigration management goals with humanitarian obligations and the capacities of partner countries in the western Balkans.

The discussions may also have wider implications for migration management in Europe, as other countries observe how third-country return hubs could affect asylum flows, diplomatic relations, and public perceptions of migration policy. Analysts suggest that the Kosovo example could serve as a test case for similar arrangements elsewhere, though much will depend on the details of implementation and adherence to international human rights standards.

Ultimately, the emerging agreement reflects the UK’s determination to explore innovative solutions to its asylum challenges while seeking partners willing to engage in cooperative approaches. Kosovo’s willingness to participate highlights the potential for smaller nations to play a role in global migration governance, even as larger geopolitical and domestic considerations continue to shape policy decisions.