Migration issues

Globalization of the world economy, development of relations between countries and risks related to destabilization of political life, require further improvement of management of migration flows and their adaptation to the needs of labour markets and to social and economic situations in the destination countries. That is why migration is an important integral part of Russia-EU cooperation within the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice.

The signing in 2006 of the Agreement on Readmission which entered into force on 1 June 2007, became an important step made by Russia and EU in developing mechanisms to combat illegal migration. In accordance with this document, the Parties agreed to admit back their citizens illegally staying on the territory of Russia and EU Member States. This procedure has applied to nationals of third countries and stateless persons as of 1 June 2010. In order to effectively implement the Agreement, Russia and EU Member States are elaborating relevant bilateral Implementing Protocols, and within the Russia-EU Joint Committee on readmission the Parties adopt recommendations for practical implementation of the Agreement.

The Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (FRONTEX) established contacts in 2006. Cooperation of the two agencies is carried out on the basis of Terms of Reference on the establishment of operational cooperation and of the relevant Common Actions Plan. Russian representatives have taken part in a number of operations coordinated by FRONTEX.

Recognizing the need to further strengthen cooperation on migration, in May 2011 Russia and EU launched a high-level Dialogue on Migration and agreed the parameters of this new cooperation format. The Dialogue will comprise regular exchange of views on topical issues of legal migration, asylum process, other forms of international protection, as well as combating illegal migration and trafficking in human beings.