EU Council Adopts Asylum Agency Regulation for the European Union

On the 9^th of December 2021, the EU Council has adopted a regulation that established the EU Asylum Agency. Its goal is the betterment of the application of the asylum policy in the European Union. It also aims to turn the current European asylum support office (EASO) into a fully-equipped agency responsible for the development of the European asylum system.

EASO improves the cooperation between member states on matters related to asylum and it also assists member states in the areas of implementation of their obligations under the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). With the adoption of the EU Asylum Agency Regulation, EASO will be further strengthened with the deployment of experts to member states that need ancillary support.

Although CEAS sets the minimum standards for procedures that govern the treatment and protection of all asylum seekers, there are still disparities among member states when it comes to granting international protection. Under the current rules, there are still differences when it comes to how asylum seekers are treated. There is also a stark difference in the proportion of positive asylum decisions in various countries across the EU.

With the adoption of the EU Asylum Agency Regulation, those disparities should be addressed through convergence among member states and the continuous assessment of applications for international protection of asylum seekers, as well as the uniform level of implementation of laws based on protection standards across the EU.

Ales Hojs, the Slovenian Minister for Interior, believes that the presence of a fully-fledged EU Asylum Agency is a fundamental step towards building a common asylum policy for the EU. Member States will be able to rely on fast and tangible support whenever and wherever it is needed. He is also confident that it will have a huge impact on the EU’s cooperation with third countries.