The Austrian government has announced that it will sign an agreement with Uzbekistan on May 7 in Tashkent, allowing the Central Asian nation to be used as a transit point for deporting migrants, including the return of Afghan citizens to their homeland.

The agreement will be signed during a visit by Austria's interior and foreign ministers. According to Markus Haindl, a spokesperson for the Austrian Interior Ministry, the pact is key to organizing the transit of deportees, primarily Afghans.

The European Union continues to seek ways to strengthen deportation policies, including the creation of "return hubs" outside the bloc. Amid difficulties in developing a pan-European approach to migration policy, several countries—including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands—announced in March their intention to move forward independently.

Since last year, Austria has already deported several Afghans, changing its approach after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Vienna has also deported Syrian citizens following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in 2024.

The EU's plans to increase deportations have drawn criticism from human rights organizations and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who warn of potential security risks for those affected.

Earlier, Germany reportedly planned to strike a deal with the Taliban to return Afghan citizens convicted in Germany. The UN opposes forced deportations.

Source: podrobno.uz