The European Union and Nigeria have closed a new readmission agreement aimed at accelerating the identification and return of people in an irregular situation who do not have the right to remain either in EU territory or in the African country, with the intention of strengthening bilateral cooperation in migration and security matters.
The pact was signed this Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, within the framework of an official visit by the Community official, during which he has held meetings with members of the Government and other relevant counterparts to address the management of migration flows.
According to information released this Wednesday by the European Commission, the text will set out “rapid and effective” procedures to identify and repatriate those who lack a legal right to reside in Nigeria or in any of the member States of the European Union, in order to facilitate cooperation between the two parties in return and readmission operations.
“Nigeria is a key partner for Europe and our ties are strengthening more and more,” Brunner emphasized, highlighting that both parties are “turning dialogue into action” through enhanced cooperation on security and more effective migration management.
Brussels frames this step within its efforts to speed up the procedures for the return of migrants in an irregular situation and recalls that the European Union currently has readmission agreements and other cooperation instruments on return with 24 countries.
In parallel with the signing of the agreement, Brussels and Abuja have inaugurated a High Officials Dialogue on Migration and Security, a new forum designed to intensify bilateral cooperation and coordinate more effectively the actions of both parties in these areas.
The agreement still needs to receive the approval of the European Parliament and, subsequently, be ratified by the Council of the EU (the governments) before it can enter into force.