ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the development of the external dimension of the EU's asylum law and policies from an historical perspective, following which it analyse some of its key aspects, namely Resettlement, Regional Protection Programmes and Readmission Agreements. It shows throughout that both the EU and its Member States have recognized the strict relationship between the internal and external dimension of EU asylum law and policy as well as the need to develop a comprehensive approach to migration which also requires the involvement of third countries, chiefly regions or countries of origin. The chapter shows that even where there is the commitment on the part of the Member States such as, for example, in the case of Regional Protection Programmes (RPPs), there are objective difficulties and logistical problems which hinder progress. To date, even though cooperation comprises both the externalization of the asylum function and prevention, the control element seems to prevail in the adoption of the EU's external asylum measures.
