Kosovo is ‘open' to becoming return hub for failed UK asylum seekers as President welcomes talks
KOSOVO is 'open' to becoming a return hub for failed UK asylum seekers.
President Vjosa Osmani said her country would welcome discussions.
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The western Balkan nation is being considered under plans to deport those who have failed in their efforts to stay in the UK.
Other options in the region — a principal route for illegal migrants — are said to include Serbia, North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
No formal talks have yet taken place.
It follows Albania's rejection of the return hub scheme.
PM Sir Keir Starmer, who has vowed action on immigration, was snubbed by PM Edi Rama.
Sir Keir claims it is not the same as the Tories' plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in East Africa, a scheme Labour ditched on taking office.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Albania's dismissal of return hubs was 'humiliating' for the PM. He said the idea would not act as a deterrent as only illegal immigrants whose asylum claims fail get removed.
He said: 'The asylum claims of a vast majority who illegally cross the Channel are accepted.'
A record 13,573 small boat migrants have reached the UK so far this year.
EXCLUSIVE: Starmer's direct threat to smuggling gangs and how he'll stop the small boats
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