European Asylum Support Office inaugurated, Malmström underlines need for common European asylum system

European Commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmström today inaugurated the European Asylum Support office (EASO), a new European Union agency based in Malta.

The documents of establishment were signed by Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, and the signing was presided over by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

In a brief press conference during which no questions by the media were allowed, Malmström described the event as an important milestone. "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.

Malmström however pointed out that there are “wide divergences” in how each respective member state deals with and processes 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," she said.

To this end, she said the commission is working to complete a common European asylum system by 2012, the latest deadline determined for the system “and one that we should try and keep to.”

She said that the EASO would deliver “meaningful practical cooperation and mutual support between the member states” in applying the law and dealing with applications for asylum, which 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,” Malmström said.

Its main goal will be to support member states in their efforts to implement a more consistent and fair asylum policy, by identifying best practices, organising training at European level and improving access to accurate information on countries of origin.

Malmström also added that the EASO was conceived to play a crucial role in enhancing practical cooperation among all asylum authorities in Europe. "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 said.

She also emphasised that asylum procedures must be “fast, fair and effective” and that member states require the 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."

During the same address, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that government will provide EASO will full support in its efforts and noted how the office has already started its work by sending support teams to Greece.

In a brief address, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici called for wider EU support and solidarity on immigration, pointing out that the objective of establishing a common European asylum policy depended on the solidarity and cooperation of the entire European Union.

EASO executive director Robert Visser also welcomed the establishment of the office as a “step towards EU cooperation” and emphasised that the office will be motivated by the European values of solidarity, cooperation, and support.

Commissioner Malmström arrived in Malta earlier on Sunday afternoon. She had talks with both Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Dr Mifsud Bonnici before the documents were signed during a special ceremony. The ceremony was followed by a reception held at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where Gonzi, Mifsud Bonnici, Malmström, Visser, and chairman of EASO’s monitoring board Stephane Fratacci delivered speeches.