The suggestion by far-right ministers in the Netherlands that failed African refugees could be sent to a “return hub” in Uganda was only heard about by Dick Schoof on Wednesday, the prime minister said after Thursday’s EU leaders meeting in Brussels.

Uganda is said to be positive about the idea and Schoof himself described the concept as an “innovative solution”. The fact he had not been told in advance was not a problem, he said. “Not every idea has to be discussed in cabinet. Once it comes to decision-making, that is the moment to take a proposal to a cabinet meeting.”

Trade minister Reinette Klaver said during a visit to Uganda on Wednesday the Netherlands could use the east African country as a place to hold failed asylum seekers who won’t return home, adding that it would be up to asylum minister Marjolein Faber to sort out the details.

Curbing migration was a hot topic at Thursday’s European Council meeting in Brussels, and several EU member states have their own plans to experiment with “return hubs” like the Uganda plan.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said said the commission would “soon” propose a new EU law on deporting asylum seekers’ whose applications have been rejected.

Earlier this week, she called for more research into the concept of “return hubs” outside the EU, saying a deal between Italy and Albania could be a possible model.

Schoof had also had a meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen ahead of the main meeting, to discuss migration issues. “The Netherlands has a lot of ambition in this area,” Schoof said. Italy and Denmark have operated a tougher approach to migration for several years.

“I am glad that the Netherlands can join up with these countries,” Schoof said. “The three of us are a driving force to look if new proposals can be developed.”

The plan must also fit into international treaties, he said. “We must also look at human rights, but we should also think out of the box, looking not only and what we can’t do, but what we can.”