Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
Tony Gregory
Question:
388
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the policy on EU plans to process asylum claims in transit processing centres outside of the EU and for regional protection areas for asylum speakers in regions close to their country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17710/03]
The proposals to which the Deputy refers are based on new approaches to international protection which were tabled by the United Kingdom for consideration at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 20 and 21 March 2003.
At the time they were tabled, the UK proposals involved: The establishment of centres on transit routes to the EU for the processing of asylum applications particularly those lodged by persons who are economic migrants; measures to improve the regional management of migration flows through solutions,inter alia, which address the causes of mass population outflows; greater protection for displaced persons in or near countries of origin; and the development of managed resettlement routes or legal routes for genuine refugees to come to the EU and raising awareness of State's responsibilities to accept returns of failed asylum seekers.
The European Council meeting in Brussels on 20 and 21 March 2003 noted the United Kingdom proposals and invited the European Commission to explore the ideas contained therein further, in particular with the UNHCR, and to report to the meeting of the Council in Greece this month. The Commission's response is contained in a communication dated 3 June 2003 to the Council and the European Parliament entitled "Towards More Accessible, Equitable and Managed Asylum Systems," copies of which I have arranged to have placed in the Oireachtas library.
At the meeting of the European Council in Thessaloniki on 19 and 20 June 2003, the Council took note of this communication and invited the European Commission to explore all parameters in order to ensure more orderly and managed entry in the EU of persons in need of international protection, and to examine ways and means to enhance the protection capacity of regions of origin with a view to presenting to the Council before June 2004, a comprehensive report suggesting measures to be taken, including their legal implications.
The Council, in its conclusions, also noted that a number of member states plan to explore ways of providing better protection for refugees in their regions of origin, which is the element of the original UK proposal on which emphasis is now being placed, in conjunction with the UNHCR. In accordance with the Council conclusions, this work is to be carried out in full partnership with the countries concerned on the basis of recommendations from the UNHCR.
