site.btaCabinet Approves Draft Protocol with Azerbaijani Government to Implement EU Readmission Agreement

The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved a draft protocol with the government of Azerbaijan on implementing the EU agreement on the readmission of persons residing without authorization as a basis for negotiations.

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the readmission of persons residing without authorization was signed on February 28, 2014. Azerbaijan ratified it on May 30, 2014, and it entered into force on September 1, 2014. Under Article 20 of the agreement, EU Member States and Azerbaijan may conclude protocols for its implementation.

The protocol is an important step toward the practical implementation of the EU-Azerbaijan readmission agreement and is expected to contribute to joint EU efforts to combat irregular migration and enhance security.

The draft protocol designates the competent authorities responsible for its implementation and specifies the border crossing points to be used for readmission and transit. It also sets out the means for submitting readmission requests and responses, as well as the procedure for interviewing the person being readmitted when the person is a national of the requested country. It further specifies the procedure for transferring a person subject to readmission, the procedure in cases of mistaken readmission, and the conditions for escorting persons subject to readmission or transfer.

The draft decision provides that the costs associated with implementing the protocol will be covered by the Interior Ministry's approved budget for the relevant year.

The proposed act of the Council of Ministers will have no impact on the state budget. Its adoption will not require any additional expenditure, transfers or other payments. The proposed decision does not introduce provisions of EU law, and therefore no EU-law compliance assessment has been prepared or attached.