Source: European Parliament
Readmission of own nationals is an established norm of customary international law that was reaffirmed in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of 2016 (resolution 71/1 of the United Nations General Assembly).
The Commission supports the conclusion of readmission agreements as they facilitate and streamline the implementation of such obligation.
However, there is no obligation as such to conclude readmission agreements. The Commission pursues comprehensive, balanced and tailor-made partnerships with key partners of origin and transit, including those with which there is no readmission agreement. Return and readmission are important elements of these partnerships.
Readmission cooperation is fostered in this framework using the relevant tools and policies, as well as available leverages, including visa measures.
The implementation of the EU readmission agreements is monitored by the Joint Readmission Committees, where any challenges of cooperation are discussed, including the reasons behind the refusal to readmit their own nationals as well as practical and operational solutions. Frontex supports Member States at all stages of the return process.