The news that Malta was selected to host the new European Commission European Asylum Support Office, which, as stated by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, had been a priority for the government because it offers logistical support and functional assistance to countries facing the brunt of illegal immigration, is a welcome achievement indeed.
The office is being set up in terms of a European Commission decision taken last February following the signing of the Immigration and Asylum Pact.
The EU began setting up common rules on asylum seekers as far back as 2004 and made considerable progress on the road to harmonisation of asylum regimes. Nonetheless, substantial disparities on protection grants and criteria persist among member states. Officials complain that, sometimes, there are big differences between member states in the way the laws are applied. For example, according to Commission figures, Iraqis seeking asylum in Europe can face anything from a two per cent chance of acceptance to a 71 per cent chance, depending on the country in which they apply.
The pact stresses the need for changes to asylum policies leading to the creation of a common European asylum system.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles have already welcomed the creation of a European Asylum Support Office. They consider that such an office could help the European Commission gather information on member states' practices and assist them to fulfil their European and international obligations in the field of asylum. At the same time, the UNHCR and the ECRE say that this is only possible if the office is well resourced and strongly founded on principles of democratic accountability and transparency.
While the general objective of the asylum support office is to further develop cooperation among member states in view of the creation of a Common European Asylum System, the office will be focusing on three main tasks:
One, support practical cooperation among member states on asylum by facilitating exchange of information on countries of origin, providing member states with support for translation and interpretation, training of asylum officials and assisting in the relocation of recognised refugees.
Two, support member states that receive large numbers of asylum claims - so-called "particular pressures" - including through the establishment of an early warning system, organising teams of experts to make initial assessment of asylum requests and assisting member states in rapidly putting in place appropriate reception facilities.
Third, contribute to the implementation of the Common European Asylum System by gathering and exchanging information on best practices, drafting an annual report on the asylum situation in the EU and monitoring the implementation of EU legislation in the field of asylum.
The office will also eventually coordinate exchanges of information and other action taken on the resettlement of refugees from third countries within the EU.
From the local point of view, there is also the advantage that, in Dr Mifsud Bonnici's words, "EAS''s strategic location in Malta will help in decreasing the pressures that illegal immigration is exerting on our country because it will bring more logic and humanity in separating those who deserve international protection from the persons who don't qualify for such assistance".