Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have sent a joint message to the 27 EU member states calling for decisive action against uncontrolled immigration and the establishment of return hubs in third countries. The initiative, made public in early August 2026 in the wake of the Ceuta migration crisis, gathered the support of 22 European governments through a letter addressed to EU leaders. Notable absences include Spain under Pedro Sánchez, France under Emmanuel Macron, as well as Portugal, Luxembourg and Ireland. The signatories called for an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers, a strengthening of Europe's capacity to protect external borders, greater support for Frontex and closer cooperation with Morocco.

The alliance between Meloni and Frederiksen, leaders of Brothers of Italy and the Danish Social Democratic Party respectively, dates back to the early months of the Meloni government. The first public milestone in the bilateral relationship came in April 2023, when Frederiksen visited Rome to meet the Italian prime minister. Since then the two leaders have cooperated on several fronts: in May 2024 they co-signed the so-called letter of 15 with other states, asking the European Commission to explore innovative solutions for managing irregular migration; in October 2024 they promoted an informal meeting in Brussels with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on return hubs, safe third countries and cooperation along migration routes; in May 2025 they brought a letter from nine countries to the Council of Europe on the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding migration.

The letter of 22 marks an evolution in language compared to previous initiatives. The signatory governments speak of massive uncontrolled crossings, instrumentalisation of migration and possible hybrid threats, framing the phenomenon not only as a matter of asylum and returns but also as a potential tool of geopolitical pressure. The document also contains references to respect for European values by those arriving in Union countries, indicating a broadening of the common ground between Rome and Copenhagen from migration management to the protection of European cultural identity.

On the Greenland issue, the alliance between the two leaders showed its limits. In January 2026, following Donald Trump's claims on the Danish territory, Meloni signed a declaration together with Frederiksen and other European leaders stating that Greenland belongs to its people. In the following days the Italian prime minister adopted a more cautious tone, describing the US administration as engaged in the use of assertive methods and ruling out the hypothesis of a military action, showing a balance between European solidarity and the relationship with Washington.

Political reactions to the initiative have been divergent. Angelo Bonelli, MP for the Green and Left Alliance, accused Prime Minister Meloni of exploiting the immigration issue for electoral convenience, arguing that the real emergency is the climate crisis. According to some analyses, the convergence between Meloni and Frederiksen has created tensions within the European progressive camp, where the Danish prime minister's stance on migration is considered heterodox relative to her political side. The European People's Party has also exerted pressure for tougher common migration policies.

The European Pact on Migration and Asylum, approved in May 2024 and applicable from June 2026, provides the regulatory framework within which Meloni and Frederiksen's proposals are situated. Legal questions remain open regarding return hubs in third countries and the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights, on which the Strasbourg Court has not yet ruled with respect to the new initiatives.