Brussels, 28/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 February, the European Commission published a communication on the assessment of readmission agreements negotiated between the EU and third countries. Its evaluation contained mixed results. Firstly, it is critical of some member states for not sending it appropriate data on the number of annual readmission requests made by third countries. It is also critical of them for not granting concessions to third countries on questions such as the facilitation of visas or granting financial assistance when these countries take back their foreign nationals.
The Commission said that the lack of faith was slowing down the conclusion of these agreements. It pointed out that so far Algeria, China and Turkey are still awaiting a gesture to be made by the Council on the question of visas. Until now, the Commission has had 18 negotiating briefs and 12 readmission agreements with non-EU countries, which have entered into force. The data it has, however, in this connection, are still too fragile to make an initial analysis. Five countries, including those most having to deal with waves of illegal immigrants, such as Italy, have not responded to the Commission and Eurostat data contain shortcomings with regard to voluntary and forced repatriations. The data do not explain which precise countries repatriation is being made to or which individuals have been sent back. The Commission is also concerned by certain flaws with regard to the right of these individuals to international protection. In this case, they cannot be directly readmitted. The Commission is therefore proposing several possibilities for enhancing border guard training and helping them identify nationals requiring this international protection.
Overall, the Commission draws up a “mixed” balance sheet with regard to application of the readmission agreements. On the one hand, it clearly appears that they have been sufficiently utilised and that “the readmission agreements concluded with the EU include added value from the point of view of readmitting foreign nationals, particularly in EU neighbouring countries”, notes the Commission. The Commission also says that they have been used appropriately in the context of managing illegal immigration. The follow-up, however, to implementation of readmission agreements concluded with the EU on human rights issues can undoubtedly be improved. EU ministers responsible for home affairs were expected to reach an agreement on its balance sheet on Thursday 24 February but the question was postponed until a later session due to the agenda being full. (S.P./transl.fl)