Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1404527
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 25 AUGUST 2021 ŻEUROPE This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Will centralisation resolve EU's asylum woes? IN June, the European Parlia- ment and Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement to transform the European Asy- lum Support Office (EASO) into a 'fully-fledged agency'. The new Asylum Agency will share responsibilities with member states and it is argued to increase efficiency in pro- cessing asylum applications. This change to the asylum system is likely to prove how centralised EU policies can be used to implement positive change but can simultaneous- ly risk antagonising member states. The sharp increase in the number of refugees arriving in the EU in 2015, along with the more recent COVID-19 pan- demic, highlighted the total failure of current EU migration policies and increased the ur- gency for reform. In 2020, many asylum seekers were unable to apply for inter- national protection since the pandemic restricted their mo- bility. Moreover, 58% of decisions on asylum applications were negative and many unsuccess- ful applicants were unable to return to their country of or- igin due to travel bans. Simi- larly there has been a discrep- ancy between EU asylum laws and actual practices of member states, leading to a lack of uni- form treatment of asylum seek- ers across the EU. While in theory it should not matter where an application is made, asylum applications in- creased in countries where the chances of receiving interna- tional protection were deemed higher. The recently approved Asy- lum Agency aims to improve how EU member states deal with asylum seekers. Following other policies man- aged at the European level to ensure consistency, the new asylum agency creates a com- mon system for asylum appli- cations across the EU. It claims to ensure fair treat- ment of migrants across the bloc and promises to provide increased assistance to receiv- ing countries, such as sending experts to member states that request operational support. On the day of the agreement, the Portuguese Minister for Home Affairs, Eduardo Cabri- ta, claimed that the new agency was fulfilling the EU's goal of building a fairer, more efficient asylum system that also facil- itates mutual trust between member states through shared responsibility. However, as with all cen- tralised tendencies, there is opposition from some of the member states. The Visegrad 4 — Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland – have rebelled against the new man- date, anticipating further quo- tas on migrant redistribution. While Hungary's treatment of refugees is inhumane and likely illegal, setting strict quotas up- on Eastern European countries may not be the best method. The rise of anti-immigration populism and xenophobia in these countries may in fact de- ter refugees from wanting to settle there in the first place. Moreover, forcing quotas on each country may could lead to chronic tensions between host countries and migrants. Instead, the new agency could allow different countries to help in different ways: they could offer aid and operational support to other member states instead of rehoming refugees. This way, not only does each member state contribute to EU easing the pressure on certain member states, but refugees enjoy better circumstances by having the ability to settle in countries where they are more likely to be welcomed. Overall, central agencies may create better outcomes ref- ugees and the EU as a whole thanks to a more uniform treatment of individuals across the EU. But such reforms can also anger national governments with different views and polit- ical interests in these matters. However with enough flexibili- ty on both sides, there is scope for creative compromises that would make the EU's asylum system more sustainable and fair for all in the long term. Asylum seekers trying to file their claims in Greece