EU ministers mull new ways to curb irregular migration

The interior ministers of European Union countries met in Luxembourg on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen border controls and curb undocumented migration into the 27-member bloc.

Following the talks, they approved a new regulation to boost deportations of irregular migrants.

It will allow member states ​to establish so-called return hubs outside the EU for migrants who are legally required to leave the bloc but cannot be returned to their countries of origin.

Countries including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands have been exploring options to change migration policy and set up such migrant centers.

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"When it comes to return hubs," Danish Interior Minister Morten Bodskov told reporters, "it's progressing very well."

"We are moving in the right direction," he said without providing further details.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said there were "preliminary" talks on return hubs but declined to say which countries were involved.