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Procedure completed, awaiting publication in Official Journal



2012/0122(NLE) EU/Turkey Agreement: readmission of persons residing without authorisation
Next event: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading 2014/02/10 more...
RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Opinion AFET OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria (EPP)
Lead LIBE SOMMER Renate (EPP) BOZKURT Emine (S&D), GRIESBECK Nathalie (ALDE), SARGENTINI Judith (Verts/ALE), KIRKHOPE Timothy (ECR), ERNST Cornelia (GUE/NGL), CLAEYS Philip (NI)
Lead committee dossier: LIBE/7/09962
Legal Basis TFEU 079-p3, TFEU 218-p6a

Activites

  • #3308
  • 2014/04/14 Council Meeting
  • 2014/04/14 End of procedure in Parliament
  • 2014/04/14 Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
  • 2014/02/26 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
    • T7-0144/2014 summary
  • 2014/02/10 Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
    • A7-0097/2014 summary
  • 2014/02/06 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • 2014/01/22 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • #3180
  • 2012/06/26 Council Meeting
  • 2012/06/22 Initial legislative proposal published
    • COM(2012)0239 summary
    • DG {'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/', 'title': 'Home Affairs'}, MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
  • 2012/06/12 Legislative proposal published
    • 10697/2012 summary
    • DG {'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/', 'title': 'Home Affairs'}, MALMSTRÖM Cecilia

Documents

  • Legislative proposal published: 10697/2012
  • Initial legislative proposal published: COM(2012)0239
  • Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A7-0097/2014
  • Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T7-0144/2014

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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activities/6/docs/0/text
  • The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

activities/6/docs/0/url
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2014-0144
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  • type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0144/2014
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  • The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Renate SOMMER (EPP, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    Given that the signature of the readmission agreement would make a significant contribution to curbing illegal immigration into the European Union via Turkish territory, the committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: in accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation was signed subject to its conclusion.

    It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the Agreement.

    CONTENT: the proposal aims to call on the Council to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, an Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    The proposal defines the internal arrangements necessary for its proper application.

    Main provisions: the draft Agreement sets out the obligations as regards readmission which are   drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals as well as third country nationals and stateless persons.

    Institutional provisions: the Agreement is to establish a Joint Readmission Committee which will be able to adopt its rules of procedure. It is appropriate to provide for a simplified procedure for the establishment of the Union position in this case.

    For further details of the main elements of this Agreement, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 22/06/2012.

activities/5/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2014-0097&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A7-0097/2014
activities/1/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the negotiating directives for a European Community - Turkey readmission agreement were adopted by the Council on 28 November 2002. Negotiations were formally opened on 27 May 2005 in Brussels. After first four negotiations rounds (fourth one on 7 December 2006), the negotiations restarted in 2009. A new draft text was prepared and transmitted to Turkey on 17 December 2009. Three further formal negotiation rounds took place in 2010. An additional meeting between the Chief negotiators was held on 14 January 2011 in Ankara. Those meetings brought the negotiations to the end at the level of Chief Negotiators.

    The text was subject to the consultations on both sides. On the EU side, the outcome of the negotiations was endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held on 24 February 2011. After further contacts with Turkey, the agreed text was initialled on 21 June 2012 in Brussels by the representatives of both Parties. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted at all (informal and formal) stages of the readmission negotiations. The European Parliament's consent will be required for the conclusion of the Agreement.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: the proposed Decision constitutes the legal instrument for the conclusion of the readmission agreement. The Council will decide by qualified majority.

    The proposed Decision concerning the conclusion sets out the necessary internal arrangements for the practical application of the Agreement. In particular, it specifies that the Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, represents the Union within the Joint Readmission Committee set up by Article 19 of the Agreement. As in the case for the other readmission agreements so far concluded by the Union, the Union position in this regard shall be established by the Commission in consultation with a special committee designated by the Council. As regards other decisions to be taken by the Joint Committee, the Union position shall be established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Treaty.

    The final content of the Agreement can be summarised as follows:

    • the readmission obligations set out in the Agreement (Articles 3 - 6) are drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals (Articles 3 and 5) as well as third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 4 and 6);
    • the obligation to readmit own nationals includes also former own nationals who have renounced or who have been deprived of their nationality without acquiring the nationality of another State;
    • the readmission obligation with regard to own nationals covers also family members (i.e. spouses and minor unmarried children) regardless of their nationality and who do not have an independent right of residence in the Requesting State;
    • the obligation to readmit third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 3 and 5) is linked to the following prerequisites: (a) the person concerned holds, at the time of submission of the readmission application, a valid visa or residence permit issued by the requested State or (b) the person concerned holds a residence permit issued by the requested State (c) the person concerned illegally entered the territory of the requesting State coming directly from the territory of the requested State. Exempted from these obligations are persons in airside transit, all persons to whom the requesting State has issued a visa or residence permit before or after entry to its territory and all persons who enjoy a visa-free access to the territory of the Requesting State;
    • the readmission obligation for third country nationals or stateless persons becomes applicable only three years after the entry into force of the whole agreement. During that period that obligation will be applicable to stateless persons and third country nationals coming from those third countries with which Turkey concluded readmission agreements. During the same period the bilateral agreements between Turkey and Member States remain applicable in the relevant parts (Article 24(3));
    • for own nationals, in case there is no consular office of Turkey in a Member State or in case of the expiry of specified time limits for issuance of travel documents, Turkey accepts its positive reply to the readmission application as sufficient travel document for the readmission of the person concerned. In the same cases for third country nationals or stateless persons, Turkey accepts the use of the EU's standard travel document for expulsion purposes (Articles 4(3) and 4(4));
    • Section III of the Agreement (Articles 7 to 14 in conjunction with annexes 1 to 5) contains the necessary technical provisions regarding the readmission procedure (readmission application, means of evidence, time limits, transfer modalities and modes of transportation) and 'readmission in error' (Article 13). Some procedural flexibility is provided by the fact that no readmission application will be needed in cases where the person to be readmitted is in possession of a valid travel document or identity card and, in case of third country nationals, valid visa or residence permit issued by the Requested State (Article 7(3));
    • in its Article 7(4), the Agreement sets out the so-called accelerated procedure, which has been agreed upon for persons apprehended in the "border region", i.e. an area within the Requesting State's territory extending inwards up to 20 kilometres from the external border of that State, whether or not the border is shared between the Requesting State and the Requested State as well as the sea ports including customs zones and international airports of the Requesting State. Under the accelerated procedure, readmission applications have to be submitted within 3 working days, and replies have to be given within 5 working days;
    • under the normal procedure, the time limit for replies to readmission applications is 25 calendar days except for the Requesting State which has a shorter initial detention period in the national legislation, in which case that shorter period will apply. The initial period may be extended up to 60 calendar days except for the Requesting State with the maximum detention period of less or equal to 60 days;
    • the Agreement contains a section on transit operations (Articles 14 and 15 in conj. with annex 6);
    • Articles 16, 17 and 18 contain the necessary rules on costs, data protection and the relation to other International obligations and existing EU Directives. The agreement is without prejudice to other arrangements relating to areas other than readmission, such as voluntary return;
    • the Joint Readmission Committee will be composed, and have the tasks and powers, as set out in Article 19;
    • in order to execute this Agreement in practice, Article 20 creates the possibility for Turkey and individual Member States to conclude bilateral implementing Protocols. The relation between the bilateral implementing Protocols and this Agreement is clarified by Article 21;
    • the final provisions (Articles 22 to 25) contain the necessary rules on entry into force, duration, technical assistance, termination and the legal status of the annexes to the agreement.

    Territorial provisions: the specific situation of Denmark is reflected in the preamble to the Agreement and in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement. The close association of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is likewise reflected in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

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  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the negotiating directives for a European Community – Turkey readmission agreement were adopted by the Council on 28 November 2002. Negotiations were formally opened on 27 May 2005 in Brussels. After first four negotiations rounds (fourth one on 7 December 2006), the negotiations restarted in 2009. A new draft text was prepared and transmitted to Turkey on 17 December 2009. Three further formal negotiation rounds took place in 2010. An additional meeting between the Chief negotiators was held on 14 January 2011 in Ankara. Those meetings brought the negotiations to the end at the level of Chief Negotiators.

    The text was subject to the consultations on both sides. On the EU side, the outcome of the negotiations was endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held on 24 February 2011. After further contacts with Turkey, the agreed text was initialled on 21 June 2012 in Brussels by the representatives of both Parties. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted at all (informal and formal) stages of the readmission negotiations. The European Parliament's consent will be required for the conclusion of the Agreement.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: the proposed Decision constitutes the legal instrument for the conclusion of the readmission agreement. The Council will decide by qualified majority.

    The proposed Decision concerning the conclusion sets out the necessary internal arrangements for the practical application of the Agreement. In particular, it specifies that the Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, represents the Union within the Joint Readmission Committee set up by Article 19 of the Agreement. As in the case for the other readmission agreements so far concluded by the Union, the Union position in this regard shall be established by the Commission in consultation with a special committee designated by the Council. As regards other decisions to be taken by the Joint Committee, the Union position shall be established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Treaty.

    The final content of the Agreement can be summarised as follows:

    • the readmission obligations set out in the Agreement (Articles 3 - 6) are drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals (Articles 3 and 5) as well as third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 4 and 6);
    • the obligation to readmit own nationals includes also former own nationals who have renounced or who have been deprived of their nationality without acquiring the nationality of another State;
    • the readmission obligation with regard to own nationals covers also family members (i.e. spouses and minor unmarried children) regardless of their nationality and who do not have an independent right of residence in the Requesting State;
    • the obligation to readmit third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 3 and 5) is linked to the following prerequisites: (a) the person concerned holds, at the time of submission of the readmission application, a valid visa or residence permit issued by the requested State or (b) the person concerned holds a residence permit issued by the requested State (c) the person concerned illegally entered the territory of the requesting State coming directly from the territory of the requested State. Exempted from these obligations are persons in airside transit, all persons to whom the requesting State has issued a visa or residence permit before or after entry to its territory and all persons who enjoy a visa-free access to the territory of the Requesting State;
    • the readmission obligation for third country nationals or stateless persons becomes applicable only three years after the entry into force of the whole agreement. During that period that obligation will be applicable to stateless persons and third country nationals coming from those third countries with which Turkey concluded readmission agreements. During the same period the bilateral agreements between Turkey and Member States remain applicable in the relevant parts (Article 24(3));
    • for own nationals, in case there is no consular office of Turkey in a Member State or in case of the expiry of specified time limits for issuance of travel documents, Turkey accepts its positive reply to the readmission application as sufficient travel document for the readmission of the person concerned. In the same cases for third country nationals or stateless persons, Turkey accepts the use of the EU's standard travel document for expulsion purposes (Articles 4(3) and 4(4));
    • Section III of the Agreement (Articles 7 to 14 in conjunction with annexes 1 to 5) contains the necessary technical provisions regarding the readmission procedure (readmission application, means of evidence, time limits, transfer modalities and modes of transportation) and 'readmission in error' (Article 13). Some procedural flexibility is provided by the fact that no readmission application will be needed in cases where the person to be readmitted is in possession of a valid travel document or identity card and, in case of third country nationals, valid visa or residence permit issued by the Requested State (Article 7(3));
    • in its Article 7(4), the Agreement sets out the so-called accelerated procedure, which has been agreed upon for persons apprehended in the “border region”, i.e. an area within the Requesting State's territory extending inwards up to 20 kilometres from the external border of that State, whether or not the border is shared between the Requesting State and the Requested State as well as the sea ports including customs zones and international airports of the Requesting State. Under the accelerated procedure, readmission applications have to be submitted within 3 working days, and replies have to be given within 5 working days;
    • under the normal procedure, the time limit for replies to readmission applications is 25 calendar days except for the Requesting State which has a shorter initial detention period in the national legislation, in which case that shorter period will apply. The initial period may be extended up to 60 calendar days except for the Requesting State with the maximum detention period of less or equal to 60 days;
    • the Agreement contains a section on transit operations (Articles 14 and 15 in conj. with annex 6);
    • Articles 16, 17 and 18 contain the necessary rules on costs, data protection and the relation to other International obligations and existing EU Directives. The agreement is without prejudice to other arrangements relating to areas other than readmission, such as voluntary return;
    • the Joint Readmission Committee will be composed, and have the tasks and powers, as set out in Article 19;
    • in order to execute this Agreement in practice, Article 20 creates the possibility for Turkey and individual Member States to conclude bilateral implementing Protocols. The relation between the bilateral implementing Protocols and this Agreement is clarified by Article 21;
    • the final provisions (Articles 22 to 25) contain the necessary rules on entry into force, duration, technical assistance, termination and the legal status of the annexes to the agreement.

    Territorial provisions: the specific situation of Denmark is reflected in the preamble to the Agreement and in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement. The close association of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is likewise reflected in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

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Old

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the negotiating directives for a European Community – Turkey readmission agreement were adopted by the Council on 28 November 2002. Negotiations were formally opened on 27 May 2005 in Brussels. After first four negotiations rounds (fourth one on 7 December 2006), the negotiations restarted in 2009. A new draft text was prepared and transmitted to Turkey on 17 December 2009. Three further formal negotiation rounds took place in 2010. An additional meeting between the Chief negotiators was held on 14 January 2011 in Ankara. Those meetings brought the negotiations to the end at the level of Chief Negotiators.

The text was subject to the consultations on both sides. On the EU side, the outcome of the negotiations was endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held on 24 February 2011. After further contacts with Turkey, the agreed text was initialled on 21 June 2012 in Brussels by the representatives of both Parties. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted at all (informal and formal) stages of the readmission negotiations. The European Parliament's consent will be required for the conclusion of the Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: the proposed Decision constitutes the legal instrument for the conclusion of the readmission agreement. The Council will decide by qualified majority.

The proposed Decision concerning the conclusion sets out the necessary internal arrangements for the practical application of the Agreement. In particular, it specifies that the Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, represents the Union within the Joint Readmission Committee set up by Article 19 of the Agreement. As in the case for the other readmission agreements so far concluded by the Union, the Union position in this regard shall be established by the Commission in consultation with a special committee designated by the Council. As regards other decisions to be taken by the Joint Committee, the Union position shall be established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Treaty.

The final content of the Agreement can be summarised as follows:

  • the readmission obligations set out in the Agreement (Articles 3 - 6) are drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals (Articles 3 and 5) as well as third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 4 and 6);
  • the obligation to readmit own nationals includes also former own nationals who have renounced or who have been deprived of their nationality without acquiring the nationality of another State;
  • the readmission obligation with regard to own nationals covers also family members (i.e. spouses and minor unmarried children) regardless of their nationality and who do not have an independent right of residence in the Requesting State;
  • the obligation to readmit third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 3 and 5) is linked to the following prerequisites: (a) the person concerned holds, at the time of submission of the readmission application, a valid visa or residence permit issued by the requested State or (b) the person concerned holds a residence permit issued by the requested State (c) the person concerned illegally entered the territory of the requesting State coming directly from the territory of the requested State. Exempted from these obligations are persons in airside transit, all persons to whom the requesting State has issued a visa or residence permit before or after entry to its territory and all persons who enjoy a visa-free access to the territory of the Requesting State;
  • the readmission obligation for third country nationals or stateless persons becomes applicable only three years after the entry into force of the whole agreement. During that period that obligation will be applicable to stateless persons and third country nationals coming from those third countries with which Turkey concluded readmission agreements. During the same period the bilateral agreements between Turkey and Member States remain applicable in the relevant parts (Article 24(3));
  • for own nationals, in case there is no consular office of Turkey in a Member State or in case of the expiry of specified time limits for issuance of travel documents, Turkey accepts its positive reply to the readmission application as sufficient travel document for the readmission of the person concerned. In the same cases for third country nationals or stateless persons, Turkey accepts the use of the EU's standard travel document for expulsion purposes (Articles 4(3) and 4(4));
  • Section III of the Agreement (Articles 7 to 14 in conjunction with annexes 1 to 5) contains the necessary technical provisions regarding the readmission procedure (readmission application, means of evidence, time limits, transfer modalities and modes of transportation) and 'readmission in error' (Article 13). Some procedural flexibility is provided by the fact that no readmission application will be needed in cases where the person to be readmitted is in possession of a valid travel document or identity card and, in case of third country nationals, valid visa or residence permit issued by the Requested State (Article 7(3));
  • in its Article 7(4), the Agreement sets out the so-called accelerated procedure, which has been agreed upon for persons apprehended in the “border region”, i.e. an area within the Requesting State's territory extending inwards up to 20 kilometres from the external border of that State, whether or not the border is shared between the Requesting State and the Requested State as well as the sea ports including customs zones and international airports of the Requesting State. Under the accelerated procedure, readmission applications have to be submitted within 3 working days, and replies have to be given within 5 working days;
  • under the normal procedure, the time limit for replies to readmission applications is 25 calendar days except for the Requesting State which has a shorter initial detention period in the national legislation, in which case that shorter period will apply. The initial period may be extended up to 60 calendar days except for the Requesting State with the maximum detention period of less or equal to 60 days;
  • the Agreement contains a section on transit operations (Articles 14 and 15 in conj. with annex 6);
  • Articles 16, 17 and 18 contain the necessary rules on costs, data protection and the relation to other International obligations and existing EU Directives. The agreement is without prejudice to other arrangements relating to areas other than readmission, such as voluntary return;
  • the Joint Readmission Committee will be composed, and have the tasks and powers, as set out in Article 19;
  • in order to execute this Agreement in practice, Article 20 creates the possibility for Turkey and individual Member States to conclude bilateral implementing Protocols. The relation between the bilateral implementing Protocols and this Agreement is clarified by Article 21;
  • the final provisions (Articles 22 to 25) contain the necessary rules on entry into force, duration, technical assistance, termination and the legal status of the annexes to the agreement.

Territorial provisions: the specific situation of Denmark is reflected in the preamble to the Agreement and in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement. The close association of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is likewise reflected in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the negotiating directives for a European Community – Turkey readmission agreement were adopted by the Council on 28 November 2002. Negotiations were formally opened on 27 May 2005 in Brussels. After first four negotiations rounds (fourth one on 7 December 2006), the negotiations restarted in 2009. A new draft text was prepared and transmitted to Turkey on 17 December 2009. Three further formal negotiation rounds took place in 2010. An additional meeting between the Chief negotiators was held on 14 January 2011 in Ankara. Those meetings brought the negotiations to the end at the level of Chief Negotiators.

The text was subject to the consultations on both sides. On the EU side, the outcome of the negotiations was endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held on 24 February 2011. After further contacts with Turkey, the agreed text was initialled on 21 June 2012 in Brussels by the representatives of both Parties. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted at all (informal and formal) stages of the readmission negotiations. The European Parliament's consent will be required for the conclusion of the Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: the proposed Decision constitutes the legal instrument for the conclusion of the readmission agreement. The Council will decide by qualified majority.

The proposed Decision concerning the conclusion sets out the necessary internal arrangements for the practical application of the Agreement. In particular, it specifies that the Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, represents the Union within the Joint Readmission Committee set up by Article 19 of the Agreement. As in the case for the other readmission agreements so far concluded by the Union, the Union position in this regard shall be established by the Commission in consultation with a special committee designated by the Council. As regards other decisions to be taken by the Joint Committee, the Union position shall be established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Treaty.

The final content of the Agreement can be summarised as follows:

  • the readmission obligations set out in the Agreement (Articles 3 - 6) are drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals (Articles 3 and 5) as well as third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 4 and 6);
  • the obligation to readmit own nationals includes also former own nationals who have renounced or who have been deprived of their nationality without acquiring the nationality of another State;
  • the readmission obligation with regard to own nationals covers also family members (i.e. spouses and minor unmarried children) regardless of their nationality and who do not have an independent right of residence in the Requesting State;
  • the obligation to readmit third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 3 and 5) is linked to the following prerequisites: (a) the person concerned holds, at the time of submission of the readmission application, a valid visa or residence permit issued by the requested State or (b) the person concerned holds a residence permit issued by the requested State (c) the person concerned illegally entered the territory of the requesting State coming directly from the territory of the requested State. Exempted from these obligations are persons in airside transit, all persons to whom the requesting State has issued a visa or residence permit before or after entry to its territory and all persons who enjoy a visa-free access to the territory of the Requesting State;
  • the readmission obligation for third country nationals or stateless persons becomes applicable only three years after the entry into force of the whole agreement. During that period that obligation will be applicable to stateless persons and third country nationals coming from those third countries with which Turkey concluded readmission agreements. During the same period the bilateral agreements between Turkey and Member States remain applicable in the relevant parts (Article 24(3));
  • for own nationals, in case there is no consular office of Turkey in a Member State or in case of the expiry of specified time limits for issuance of travel documents, Turkey accepts its positive reply to the readmission application as sufficient travel document for the readmission of the person concerned. In the same cases for third country nationals or stateless persons, Turkey accepts the use of the EU's standard travel document for expulsion purposes (Articles 4(3) and 4(4));
  • Section III of the Agreement (Articles 7 to 14 in conjunction with annexes 1 to 5) contains the necessary technical provisions regarding the readmission procedure (readmission application, means of evidence, time limits, transfer modalities and modes of transportation) and 'readmission in error' (Article 13). Some procedural flexibility is provided by the fact that no readmission application will be needed in cases where the person to be readmitted is in possession of a valid travel document or identity card and, in case of third country nationals, valid visa or residence permit issued by the Requested State (Article 7(3));
  • in its Article 7(4), the Agreement sets out the so-called accelerated procedure, which has been agreed upon for persons apprehended in the “border region”, i.e. an area within the Requesting State's territory extending inwards up to 20 kilometres from the external border of that State, whether or not the border is shared between the Requesting State and the Requested State as well as the sea ports including customs zones and international airports of the Requesting State. Under the accelerated procedure, readmission applications have to be submitted within 3 working days, and replies have to be given within 5 working days;
  • under the normal procedure, the time limit for replies to readmission applications is 25 calendar days except for the Requesting State which has a shorter initial detention period in the national legislation, in which case that shorter period will apply. The initial period may be extended up to 60 calendar days except for the Requesting State with the maximum detention period of less or equal to 60 days;
  • the Agreement contains a section on transit operations (Articles 14 and 15 in conj. with annex 6);
  • Articles 16, 17 and 18 contain the necessary rules on costs, data protection and the relation to other International obligations and existing EU Directives. The agreement is without prejudice to other arrangements relating to areas other than readmission, such as voluntary return;
  • the Joint Readmission Committee will be composed, and have the tasks and powers, as set out in Article 19;
  • in order to execute this Agreement in practice, Article 20 creates the possibility for Turkey and individual Member States to conclude bilateral implementing Protocols. The relation between the bilateral implementing Protocols and this Agreement is clarified by Article 21;
  • the final provisions (Articles 22 to 25) contain the necessary rules on entry into force, duration, technical assistance, termination and the legal status of the annexes to the agreement.

Territorial provisions: the specific situation of Denmark is reflected in the preamble to the Agreement and in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement. The close association of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is likewise reflected in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

committees/0/date
2012-11-27T00:00:00
committees/0/rapporteur
  • group: EPP name: OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria
activities/2
date
2013-07-02T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
committees/1/shadows
  • group: S&D name: BOZKURT Emine
  • group: ALDE name: GRIESBECK Nathalie
  • group: Verts/ALE name: SARGENTINI Judith
  • group: ECR name: KIRKHOPE Timothy
  • group: GUE/NGL name: ERNST Cornelia
  • group: NI name: CLAEYS Philip
activities/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=239
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2012/0239/COM_COM(2012)0239_FR.pdf
committees/1/date
Old
2012-09-19T00:00:00
New
2012-09-20T00:00:00
committees/1/date
2012-09-19T00:00:00
committees/1/rapporteur
  • group: EPP name: SOMMER Renate
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the negotiating directives for a European Community – Turkey readmission agreement were adopted by the Council on 28 November 2002. Negotiations were formally opened on 27 May 2005 in Brussels. After first four negotiations rounds (fourth one on 7 December 2006), the negotiations restarted in 2009. A new draft text was prepared and transmitted to Turkey on 17 December 2009. Three further formal negotiation rounds took place in 2010. An additional meeting between the Chief negotiators was held on 14 January 2011 in Ankara. Those meetings brought the negotiations to the end at the level of Chief Negotiators.

    The text was subject to the consultations on both sides. On the EU side, the outcome of the negotiations was endorsed by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held on 24 February 2011. After further contacts with Turkey, the agreed text was initialled on 21 June 2012 in Brussels by the representatives of both Parties. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted at all (informal and formal) stages of the readmission negotiations. The European Parliament's consent will be required for the conclusion of the Agreement.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: the proposed Decision constitutes the legal instrument for the conclusion of the readmission agreement. The Council will decide by qualified majority.

    The proposed Decision concerning the conclusion sets out the necessary internal arrangements for the practical application of the Agreement. In particular, it specifies that the Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, represents the Union within the Joint Readmission Committee set up by Article 19 of the Agreement. As in the case for the other readmission agreements so far concluded by the Union, the Union position in this regard shall be established by the Commission in consultation with a special committee designated by the Council. As regards other decisions to be taken by the Joint Committee, the Union position shall be established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Treaty.

    The final content of the Agreement can be summarised as follows:

    • the readmission obligations set out in the Agreement (Articles 3 - 6) are drawn up in a fully reciprocal way, comprising own nationals (Articles 3 and 5) as well as third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 4 and 6);
    • the obligation to readmit own nationals includes also former own nationals who have renounced or who have been deprived of their nationality without acquiring the nationality of another State;
    • the readmission obligation with regard to own nationals covers also family members (i.e. spouses and minor unmarried children) regardless of their nationality and who do not have an independent right of residence in the Requesting State;
    • the obligation to readmit third country nationals and stateless persons (Articles 3 and 5) is linked to the following prerequisites: (a) the person concerned holds, at the time of submission of the readmission application, a valid visa or residence permit issued by the requested State or (b) the person concerned holds a residence permit issued by the requested State (c) the person concerned illegally entered the territory of the requesting State coming directly from the territory of the requested State. Exempted from these obligations are persons in airside transit, all persons to whom the requesting State has issued a visa or residence permit before or after entry to its territory and all persons who enjoy a visa-free access to the territory of the Requesting State;
    • the readmission obligation for third country nationals or stateless persons becomes applicable only three years after the entry into force of the whole agreement. During that period that obligation will be applicable to stateless persons and third country nationals coming from those third countries with which Turkey concluded readmission agreements. During the same period the bilateral agreements between Turkey and Member States remain applicable in the relevant parts (Article 24(3));
    • for own nationals, in case there is no consular office of Turkey in a Member State or in case of the expiry of specified time limits for issuance of travel documents, Turkey accepts its positive reply to the readmission application as sufficient travel document for the readmission of the person concerned. In the same cases for third country nationals or stateless persons, Turkey accepts the use of the EU's standard travel document for expulsion purposes (Articles 4(3) and 4(4));
    • Section III of the Agreement (Articles 7 to 14 in conjunction with annexes 1 to 5) contains the necessary technical provisions regarding the readmission procedure (readmission application, means of evidence, time limits, transfer modalities and modes of transportation) and 'readmission in error' (Article 13). Some procedural flexibility is provided by the fact that no readmission application will be needed in cases where the person to be readmitted is in possession of a valid travel document or identity card and, in case of third country nationals, valid visa or residence permit issued by the Requested State (Article 7(3));
    • in its Article 7(4), the Agreement sets out the so-called accelerated procedure, which has been agreed upon for persons apprehended in the “border region”, i.e. an area within the Requesting State's territory extending inwards up to 20 kilometres from the external border of that State, whether or not the border is shared between the Requesting State and the Requested State as well as the sea ports including customs zones and international airports of the Requesting State. Under the accelerated procedure, readmission applications have to be submitted within 3 working days, and replies have to be given within 5 working days;
    • under the normal procedure, the time limit for replies to readmission applications is 25 calendar days except for the Requesting State which has a shorter initial detention period in the national legislation, in which case that shorter period will apply. The initial period may be extended up to 60 calendar days except for the Requesting State with the maximum detention period of less or equal to 60 days;
    • the Agreement contains a section on transit operations (Articles 14 and 15 in conj. with annex 6);
    • Articles 16, 17 and 18 contain the necessary rules on costs, data protection and the relation to other International obligations and existing EU Directives. The agreement is without prejudice to other arrangements relating to areas other than readmission, such as voluntary return;
    • the Joint Readmission Committee will be composed, and have the tasks and powers, as set out in Article 19;
    • in order to execute this Agreement in practice, Article 20 creates the possibility for Turkey and individual Member States to conclude bilateral implementing Protocols. The relation between the bilateral implementing Protocols and this Agreement is clarified by Article 21;
    • the final provisions (Articles 22 to 25) contain the necessary rules on entry into force, duration, technical assistance, termination and the legal status of the annexes to the agreement.

    Territorial provisions: the specific situation of Denmark is reflected in the preamble to the Agreement and in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement. The close association of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is likewise reflected in a joint declaration attached to the Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52012PC0239:EN
procedure/legal_basis
  • Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU 079-p3
  • Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU 218-p6a
activities
  • date: 2012-06-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=239 type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2012)0239 type: Legislative proposal body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Home Affairs Commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
  • date: 2012-06-26T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3180
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee: LIBE
links
National parliaments
European Commission
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Home Affairs commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
procedure
reference
2012/0122(NLE)
title
EU/Turkey Agreement: readmission of persons residing without authorisation
geographical_area
Turkey
stage_reached
Preparatory phase in Parliament
subtype
Consent by Parliament
type
NLE - Non-legislative enactments
subject