Such safeguards therefore apply to any individual under the age of 18 (i.e. a minor) who arrives on the territory of the Member States unaccompanied by an adult responsible for him or her and for as long as the minor is not effectively taken into the care of such person (including minor who was left unaccompanied after entry into the territory of the Member States).
Les États membres devraient par conséquent établir des règles claires concernant le statut juridique des mineurs non accompagnés, permettant soit l'adoption de décisions de retour et l'exécution des retours, soit l'octroi d'un droit de séjour conformément à la législation nationale.