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European Asylum Support Office

Answer

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) plays an important role in supporting asylum cooperation between Member States and in helping those Member States whose asylum and reception systems are under pressure. EASO is funded directly by the EU budget.

The Government continues to support the principle of EU hotspots and has deployed resources through EASO to the hotspots in Italy and Greece.

Last year, the Government took a decision not to opt in to the proposed EU Agency for Asylum, which will replace EASO. The Government’s key consideration was the significant amount of oversight of the UK asylum system, which would be given to the Agency should the UK choose to participate. Written Ministerial Statement HCWS373 of 16 December refers.

Until the UK leaves the EU, there will be no immediate changes to how the UK engages with EASO. Until then, we remain a full member of EASO, maintaining voting rights at the management board and playing a strong role in influencing EU asylum policy.

The Government will consider the UK’s future relationship with the EU in terms of asylum cooperation as part of the broader EU exit negotiations.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL1003

Session

2017-19

Subjects

European Asylum Support Office

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk