by setting up agreed rules to promote mutual understanding and trust.393 The EU Action-Oriented Paper on strengthening the EU external dimension on action against trafficking in human beings highlights the importance of networking and exchanges across EU borders among organizations involved in the provision of assistance to victims.394 In cases where the victim to be returned is an unaccompanied minor, the Council Resolution 97/C 221/03 on unaccompanied minors who are nationals of third countries states that the authorities should co-operate with international organizations, such as UNICEF, as well as relevant NGOs, in order to ascertain the availability of reception and care facilities in the country of origin. Some countries have developed bilateral agreements specifically concerning the return of unaccompanied minors. However, these agreements have been found to be to be ineffective if not followed up with proper assistance and integration measures in the countries of origin. There are no straightforward international legal standards in the field of combating trafficking concerning the monitoring of individual cases of trafficked persons undergoing re-integration.395 The situation involving child victims provides an exception to this rule. Drawing on the right of the child to receive a periodic review of the treatment and circumstances of her/his placement, as provided for in the UNCRC,396 the UNICEF Trafficking Guidelines foresee monitoring of the situation of an individual child following her or his family reunification and/or placement in an appropriate care center.397 In case of a child’s reunification with the family, follow-up visits to the family should be made by the competent authority for an extended period, until the child reaches the age of majority, to make sure he/she is properly treated and re-integrated and that there are no risks of re-trafficking.398 393  European Union, EU Plan on Best Practices, Standards and Procedures for Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings (2005/C 311/01), 9 December 2005, 2005/C 311/01, para. 5(i). The EU Group of Experts recommends strengthening co-operation between states and with and between NGOs towards developing safe return programmes that ensure victims’ access to immediate and long-term assistance (see Report of the EU Group of Experts, rec. 110). In addition, the ICMPD recommends the development of “transnational referral mechanisms” as part of a state’s national referral mechanism. In the context of return, these mechanisms would outline the roles and activities of governmental and non-governmental agencies in conducting return and, in particular, would specify the information that agencies are required to provide to one another (see ICMPD TRM Guidelines, pp. 24-25). The EU Group of Experts also recommends that co-operation agreements be made between countries of origin and destination that include the appointment of contact persons at embassies and consulates to deal with trafficked persons and their particular needs (see Report of the EU Group of Experts, p. 198). 394  Council of the European Union, Action-Oriented Paper on strengthening the EU external dimension on action against trafficking in human beings; Towards Global EU Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, GS/ACA/ld 1, 11450/5/09 REV 5, p. 23. 395 The CIS Programme on Cooperation of CIS Members in combating trafficking in Human Beings 2014-2018 foresees the regular exchange of experiences among competent state bodies of CIS member states. 396  UNCRC, art. 25. 397  UNICEF Trafficking Guidelines, para. 9.4. 398  Ibid. Part 2: Explanatory Report to the Principles 95