§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will invite the European Commission to publish details of the readmission agreements with third states (for asylum seekers and others) which it is negotiating on behalf of member states. [HL2250]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is normal procedure for the texts of the Community's readmission agreements with third countries to be made available only after negotiations and the ratification process have been completed.
The Commission has so far been authorised by the Council to negotiate Community readmission agreements with 11 third countries, of which four have been concluded. The agreements with Macao Special Administrative Authority, Sri Lanka and Albania are undergoing ratification.
The agreement with Hong Kong entered into force on 1 March 2004 as the first-ever Community readmission agreement. It has been published in the Official Journal.