Dutch PM Schoof only found out about Uganda plan on day PVV Ministers announced it
Prime Minister Dick Schoof only found out about the plan to open a “return hub” for failed asylum seekers in Uganda on Wednesday - the same day that PVV Minister Reinette Klever of Development Aid announced that she and the Asylum Minister were working on it during a visit to the African country. Schoof confirmed that the plan was a bit of a surprise to him after the European Union summit on Thursday, NOS reports.
Schoof didn’t consider this a problem. “Not every idea needs to be discussed in the Cabinet right away,” he said. “When it comes to decision-making, that is the moment that it can go to the Council of Ministers.”
Uganda seemed positive about the plan, but on Thursday, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was more cautious. Schoof did not want to get ahead of things. “We will see all that. Based on this idea, we will continue to work on it from the Dutch side, undoubtedly together with Uganda, because if you cannot do it together, it will certainly not work.”
Schoof again called the plan an “innovative solution,” saying that it is often discussed in Europe. Return hubs were also briefly discussed during the summit. According to Schoof, the Uganda plan “did not surprise” the other EU government leaders, but some did raise doubts about it. Germany, among others, said it would not be effective enough, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling it a drop in the ocean.
Schoof sees it differently. “Every drop in the ocean counts. We should not immediately mow down every solution or idea.” He wants to further investigate the Uganda plan.
The government leaders also discussed other options to reduce migration, including random border controls and strengthening the EU’s external border. “Europe has a joint problem, we can only solve that together,” Schoof said.
