State of play as regards the readmission and relocation of migrants

29.6.2017

Question for written answer E-004360-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Lorenzo Fontana (ENF)

According to recent press reports, the readmission and relocation programme which the Commission launched in July 2015 in agreement with the Member States has completely failed. In Italy, the relocation programme, which was originally due to last two years, has had a success rate of only 19.7% by comparison with the Commission's original forecasts (6 896 migrants have been relocated, as against than the planned 40 000).

As regards readmission, some 10 000 migrants were sent back from Italy over the period from 2014 to 2016, an extremely low figure considering that around 65% of applications for protection are rejected by the authorities.

— Is the Commission aware of these figures and can it confirm them?— Does it plan to continue the relocation programme, and if so how?— Does it intend to develop closer relations with third countries with a view to concluding readmission agreements?