Malta selected to host European asylum office
(VALETTA) - The European Council on Monday selected Malta to host the European Asylum Support Office, set up to help coordinate decision-making on asylum seekers across the European Union, officials said.
The office, which is the first EU institution to be based on the small Mediterranean island that joined the EU in 2004, will also coordinate the transfer of people who had been granted humanitarian status, between EU member states.
It will operate with an estimated budget of 50 million euros in its first three years.
Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said Malta was very happy to host the office which will support member states in their efforts to implement a more consistent and fair asylum policy.
The idea of the EASO was first brought up by the European Commission in February, when Mifsud Bonnici said Malta would be willing to host it.
The office will work closely with the authorities responsible for asylum in member states and with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
"The office was a priority for us because it offers logistical support and functional assistance to countries which are facing the brunt of illegal immigration," Mifsud Bonnici told AFP.
"It will help in decreasing the pressure that illegal immigration is exerting on Malta because it will bring more logic and humanity in separating those who deserve international protection from the people who do not qualify for such assistance".
Text and Picture Copyright 2009 AFP. All other Copyright 2009 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.