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April 27, 2021 "Only about one third of people without the right of residence in the EU return to their country of origin and of those who do, less than 30% do so voluntarily." The European Commissioner for Affairs goes straight to the heart of the problem Interni, Ylva Johansson, presenting the new strategy on voluntary repatriation.



"Voluntary repatriations - he explains - are always the best option: they focus on the person, they are more effective and cheaper". According to the research service of the European Parliament, voluntary repatriation costs less than forced repatriation. The estimate is for an average of 3,414 euros for a forced expulsion, against 560 euros for the voluntary one, and 2,500 from a transit country.



The EU strategy

In this context, the Commission adopted the first EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration of migrants, proposing practical measures based on seven pillars, including strengthening the legal and operational framework, improving the quality of programs and strengthening the cooperation with partner countries.



Creating opportunities in the countries of origin

The initiatives include the appointment of a coordinator, who will be helped by a network of representatives of the member states. The EU is also working on creating partnerships with third countries, leveraging the new visa code. “The goal - explains Ylva Johansson - is that voluntary repatriation and reintegration are two ways that will allow the European Union and third countries to create new opportunities in their country of origin, to contribute to the development of the community“. "The hope - underlines the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs - is to create trust in our migration system to make it more effective".



"130 dead at sea is a European tragedy"

That "of the 130 lives lost in the Mediterranean" in recent days is "a European tragedy. We must do everything to save lives. For this we need" that the Pact on Asylum becomes operational. Thus Ylva Johansson, presenting the initiative on the voluntary repatriation of migrants. 



Schinas: Frontex will have a new operational mandate 

The Vice-President of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, stresses that the Union "is building a new ecosystem on returns, seeking to increase cooperation on readmission, improve the governance framework, provide Frontex with a new operational mandate "." For this reason - continues Schinas - it will be necessary to develop a more uniform and coordinated approach between the Member States to use all their potential for economic and human cooperation ".