In this audit, we assessed whether the EU-funded support action for Greece and Italy had achieved its objectives and whether the asylum and return procedures were effective and swift. We also assessed whether the temporary emergency relocation schemes had achieved their targets and objective. We conclude that there are disparities between the objectives of the EU support and the results achieved. The emergency relocation schemes did not reach their targets. Even though the capacity of the Greek and Italian authorities has increased, the implementation of the asylum procedures continues to be affected by long processing times and bottlenecks. As in the rest of the EU, returns from Greece and Italy are low for the reasons identified in this report. ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU.

Special report No 24/2019: Asylum, relocation and return of migrants: Time to step up action to address disparities between objectives and results