Authors: Frowin Rausis & Sandra Lavenex
This policy brief presents recommendations for the EU and EU+ states negotiating Intergovernmental Return Frameworks (IRFs) with non-European states.
Negotiation processes on return are shaped by unequal interests and diverging normative perspectives, and negotiation outcomes are often not made public. As a result, IRFs face questions of transparency, legitimacy, and effective implementation.
To address these challenges, this policy brief calls for setting realistic expectations, strengthening intra-governmental coordination, combining broader frameworks with binding commitment and transparency, and prioritizing co-determined processes and outcomes. Ultimately, it is long-term, trust- based relationships that enables effective and sustainable return cooperation.