Seat agreement for European Asylum Support Office signed

The seat agreement between Malta and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) was signed today in Brussels.

The aim of the office is to strengthen practical cooperation among member states on asylum and to improve the implementation of the Common European Asylum System.

Its purpose is to facilitate, coordinate and strengthen practical cooperation among member states on the many aspects of asylum; provide operational support to member states which are subject to strong pressure on their asylum systems, including the coordination of asylum support teams made up of asylum experts; and to provide scientific and technical assistance for Community policy-making and legislation in all areas having a direct or indirect impact on asylum.

Following the unanimous agreement reached in November 2009 to establish the EASO's premises in Malta, negotiations on the text of the Seat Agreement started in January 2010.

The Agreement was signed by ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's Permanent Representative to the European Union, and Robert K. Visser, EASO executive director. Marta Cygan, director asylum and immigration, European Commission, was also present.

The office will be formally inaugurated on June 19 at Auberge de Castille.