EU readmission cooperation with third countries: relevant actions yielded limited results

Summary:

​​Difficulties in cooperating with countries of origin contribute to low returns of irregular migrants from the EU. Our audit assessed whether the EU has effectively enhanced readmission cooperation with third countries. We found that the outcomes of negotiations with third countries were suboptimal due to insufficient use of synergies with Member States and across EU policies. EU actions to facilitate readmission cooperation were relevant, but their results were uneven, and shortcomings in data on returns and readmissions prevented us from assessing their overall impact. We recommend that the Commission should pursue a more flexible approach when negotiating readmission agreements; create synergies with Member States to facilitate readmission negotiations; strengthen incentives for third countries; and enhance data collection on readmissions.

• Alternative Source 1
• Alternative Source 2