1 Introduction  1

2 International agreements at a glance  7

2.1 The Refugee Convention  7

2.2 Other relevant international conventions  10

2.3 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR)  11

2.4 Applicable EU law framework  12

3 Forms of externalisation and cooperation with third countries  18

3.1 Screening along the migration route  19

3.2 Disembarkation platform   22

3.3 (External border) procedure in a non-EU country  25

3.4 Procedure and reception in a third country (safe third country concept)  27

3.5 Return/transit hubs  31

3.6 Current situation within the EU regarding these models  34 3.7 Cooperation with countries that would need to host and/or implement these models  34

4 Conclusion  37

Overview of the key provisions of treaties  38

Closing remarks  42

Annex: Debate on developments in the ECHR 43