1. Readmission agreements between the EU and a third country replace EU Member States with the same country, although this is not the case for DK and possibly for IE and the Uk, since these EU Member States may choose not to participate in the relevant EU agreement.2. More information is available on the European Commission`s readmission website. At present, there is no clear overview of EU funding for cooperation with third countries on the readmission of migrants. Nevertheless, the auditors identified some 60 projects relating to the readmission and reintegration of irregular migrants, for a total value of EUR 641 million. They will focus on readmission cooperation with the ten countries of origin with the highest number of irregular returnees (outside Syria) and will also assess the performance of 20 EU projects on the readmission and reintegration of irregular migrants to these countries. Negotiations have not yet resulted in a readmission agreement with one of these countries. To date, the EU has concluded readmission agreements with the following autonomous countries and regions: in order to facilitate the implementation of readmission obligations, the EU has concluded legally binding readmission agreements with third countries. However, third countries may be reluctant to enter into negotiations, particularly for domestic policy reasons, as these agreements can be a source of public hostility. Since 2016, the Commission has therefore focused on the development of practical cooperation agreements with them and has introduced several legally non-binding return and readmission regimes, which have been criticised from the point of view of democratic and judicial responsibility. One of the reasons for the low effective rate of return of migrants who have been ordered to leave the EU is the lack of cooperation of some third countries in identifying and repatriating their nationals. This is why the EU cooperates very actively with the countries of origin of irregular migrants, including through readmission agreements.

It sets out clear obligations and procedures for authorities in non-EU and EU member states on when and how irregular persons can be re-grated. They aim to improve cooperation between administrations and can only be used after a decision to return, in accordance with the procedural rules set out in the Return Directive and the Asylum Procedures Directive (Asylum Procedures Directive). The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union allows the European Union to conclude agreements with third countries concerning the readmission of third-country nationals residing in the European Union`s area in their country of origin or country of origin. Since these EU readmission agreements apply to all Member States, there is no need for separate bilateral agreements.