Readmission agreement with Pakistan: international human rights norms respected?

One of the main debates concerning the European Union (EU) refers to whether policy making in an EU institutional setting can be defined as supranational or intergovernmental. Migration policies have traditionally supported the latter argumentation; however, since the implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam (1999) a slow movement from an intergovernmental to a more communitarian form of cooperation in migration policies is undeniable. This shift of sovereignty is noticeable in relation to readmission agreements with third countries. The last of these agreements is with Pakistan. The LIBE Committee will be voting a draft report  the 13 July 2010.

Agreements in force with visa facilitation

Albania

Negotiation lasted from 2003 to 2005 and the agreement entered into force in 2004

Bosnia&Herzegovina

Negotiations lasted from 2006 to 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Fyrom

Negotiations lasted from 2006 to 18 September 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Moldova

Negotiations lasted from 2007 to 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Montenegro

Negotiations lasted from December 2006 to 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Ukraine

Negotiations lasted from 2002 to 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Serbia

Negotiations lasted from  2006 to 2007 and the agreement was signed 1 January 2008

Russia

Agreements with no Visa facilitation

Hong Kong

Negotiations lasted from 2001 to 2003 and the agreement entered into force in 2004

Macao

Negotiations lasted from 2001 to 2003 and entered into force in 2004

Sri Lanka

Negotiations lasted from 2001 to 2004 and entered into force in 2005

Pakistan

After 10 years of negotiations (2000-2010) the LIBE Committee is about to vote on a draft report on 13 July.

Negotiations with visa facilitation

Georgia

Negotiations with Georgia have completed in just one year (from 2009 to 2010). The agreement foresees visa facilitations and is now waiting for the signature of the Council

See also:

http://www.statewatch.org/analyses/no-17-readmission.pdf

Leda Bargiotti