UNHCR Comments on EC Proposal on European Asylum Support Office

21 April 2009

UNHCR welcomes the proposed EASO Regulation, with the ultimate objective of promoting high quality asylum decision-making and greater consistency in the outcomes of asylum procedures across the European union. The Commission proposes that UNHCR sit as a (non-voting) member of the EASO Management Board, and for UNHCR to contribute in other ways to the work of the EASO. UNHCR welcomes this and considers that the proposed Regulation takes due account of its supervisory role and responsibilities, based on its mandate and Declaration 17 to the Amsterdam Treaty. The comments furthermore contain UNHCR views on other elements of the proposal, including on its tasks, governance, and operation, including also the transparency of the EASO's functioning and its cooperation with third countries.

The "Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Asylum Support Office" of 18 February 2009 is also available in Refworld, at http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/49997adc1a.html