The European Union and Afghanistan reach an arrangement to tackle migration issues

On 2 October 2016 the European Union and Afghanistan reached a political arrangement, The EU-Afghanistan Joint Way Forward on Migration issues, to effectively tackle the challenges in both the European Union and Afghanistan linked to irregular migration.

The Guardian reported that the deal, the text of which was not publicly available, committed Afghanistan to readmit any Afghan citizen who had not been granted asylum in Europe, and who refused to return to Afghanistan voluntarily.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Eternally displaced: Afghanistan’s refugee crisis and what it means for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/eternally-displaced-afghanistans-refugee-crisis-and-what-it-means-for-europe/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Politico, 23.09.16: [Opinion]: Why Europe’s plan to send Afghan refugees back won’t work http://www.politico.eu/article/europe-afghan-refugees-back-reptatriation-timor-sharan-icg/

ESO: Background information: Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, 4-5 October 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-conference-on-afghanistan-4-5-october-2016/

The Guardian, 03.10.16: EU signs deal to deport unlimited numbers of Afghan asylum seekers https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/oct/03/eu-european-union-signs-deal-deport-unlimited-numbers-afghan-asylum-seekers-afghanistan

The Guardian, 30.09.16: Plans to repatriate 3 million Afghan refugees are dangerous and misguided https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/30/afghanistan-refugee-crisis-europe-pakistan

Euronews, 09.09.16: Afghans likely to be next refugee wave for unprepared Europe http://www.euronews.com/2016/09/09/afghans-likely-to-be-next-refugee-wave-for-unprepared-europe

EUObserver, 04.10.16: EU steps up efforts to repatriate Afghans https://euobserver.com/migration/135349

EurActiv, 05.10.16: Afghan refugees return to uncertain future in alien homeland http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/afghan-refugees-return-to-uncertain-future-in-alien-homeland/

EUObserver, 05.10.16: EU mulls 'migrant' terminal at Kabul airport https://euobserver.com/migration/135370

Politico, 05.10.16: EU denies plan to deport Afghans linked to foreign aid http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-denies-plan-to-deport-afghans-linked-to-foreign-aid-immigration-asylum-afghanistan/

Euro|Topics: Debates, October 2016: Help Afghanistan, deport refugees? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/167329/help-afghanistan-deport-refugees

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