Asylum support office in the legislative pipeline

Asylum seekers' centre in Malta. © European Communities

A proposal for establishing a European Asylum Support Office was discussed by interior ministers during a public session at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 26 February. The new agency would be a centre of expertise to step up and coordinate practical cooperation among member states on various asylum matters.

At present, there are significant differences between member states' ways of dealing with applications for international protection. Many of these discrepancies are due to non-legislative factors such as diverse traditions and practices or differences in information on the applicants' country of origin. Setting up an office to promote the exchange of information and to support the asylum authorities' day-to-day operations forms part of EU efforts to harmonise these practices.

For example, if a member state is faced with a massive influx of asylum seekers, it will be able in future to request help in coordinating the arranging of emergency accommodation and medical assistance. It will also be able to ask the office to coordinate the deployment of an asylum support team in its territory.

The agency's tasks will also include scientific assistance, the organisation of training and the pooling of best practice. It will act in close cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (see UNHCR Briefing Note). The decision on the headquarters of the European Asylum Support Office will be taken by the heads of state or government.

More information:

Council press release(pdf)

Council webcast of press conference