The documents for the formal setting up of the European Asylum Support office, a new European Union agency based in Malta, were signed this afternoon by the EU Commissioner responsible for migration issues, Cecilia Malmström amd Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.
Commissioner Malmström arrived in Malta this afternoon and had talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Dr Mifsud Bonnici before the signing ceremony and a reception at the Upper Barrakka gardens.
Ms Malmström said this was an important milestone and she thanked the Maltese Government for the understanding and flexibility that it had shown during the talks that led to this agreement.
"The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Respecting and promoting the right to asylum is at the heart of the Union's efforts to build an area of freedom, security and justice," she said.
Over the years, she said, Europe had offered protection, new hope and freedom to those in need of international protection. She paid tribute to the generosity of the countries receiving these refugees, to those supporting this humanitarian effort, as well as to the all-important work on the ground of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Ms Malmström acknowledged that there are wide divergences in the way Member States deal with applications for international protection.
"The way asylum seekers and refugees are treated and their chances of obtaining protection can still differ – sometimes quite significantly – from one EU State to another. These disparities should be significantly reduced."
- The commission, she said, was working to complete the Common European System by 2012.
"Meaningful practical cooperation and mutual support between the Member States who are actually applying the law and dealing with applications for asylum is central to a well-functioning European asylum system. The European Asylum Support Office, which we are inaugurating today, will help to put that cooperation on a firm and stable footing.
She said the European Asylum Support Office was conceived to play a crucial role in enhancing practical cooperation among asylum authorities in Europe. It would supports Member States in their efforts to implement a more consistent and fair asylum policy, in particular by helping to identify best practices, by organising training at the European level and by improving access to accurate information on countries of origin.
"Asylum seekers must always be received with dignity. They must always be given the opportunity to explain their claim and have their protection needs assessed according to clear and objective criteria," the Commissioner stressed.
"Asylum procedures must be fast, fair and effective. Member States must also have the necessary tools to deal efficiently with those who do not need international protection, so that the integrity of the asylum systems is preserved.
"We must achieve an asylum system worthy of our European humanitarian traditions. The success of the Support Office will make a substantial contribution to the realisation of this vision."
See also:
New EASO director pledges to promote relocation of refugees
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110619/local/New-EASO-director-pledges-to-promote-relocation-of-refugees.371219