The European Commission said on Wednesday in Brussels that
it is ready to start negotiating an agreement with Nigeria to deport Nigerian
migrants who do not qualify to stay in the European Union.
The Commission said that the move would ensure that returns
are done "rapidly and efficiently." It said the readmission agreement
would respect international law.
“The European Commission has just proposed opening
negotiations with Nigeria on a readmission agreement,” Commission spokeswoman
Mina Andreeva told a press conference.
“This agreement aims to ensure a rapid and effective process
for identifying and returning Nigerian nationals who do not have the right to
stay in the European Union.”
The move is similar to a recent agreement EU had with Turkey
that is drastically curbing migration flows from the Middle East.
A “readmission agreement” would involve migrants from
Nigeria being deported in exchange for EU economic aid for Nigeria.
It would be the bloc’s first major return deal with a
sub-Saharan African nation — its only existing one is with island nation Cape
Verde.
Around 22,000 Nigerian nationals crossed the Mediterranean
Sea to reach Europe last year, according to the EU's border agency, Frontex.
The EU only provides international protection to people
fleeing conflict or violence. EU member states must still give the green light
for the readmission talks with Nigeria to begin.
