Elena YONCHEVA (S&D, BG), rapporteur, holds a press conference in the European Parliament in Brussels, to discuss the outcome of trilateral talks on the creation of a new EU Asylum Agency. After years of complicated negotiations, the co-legislators have reached an agreement on upgrading the current EU Asylum Support Office (EASO) into a stronger EU Asylum Agency, with increased capabilities and responsibilities. It will develop operational standards, indicators, guidelines and best practices on asylum-related matters, and will provide operational assistance to member states including in crisis situations as well as on relocation and resettlement. In order to improve the functioning of the common asylum system, it will support practical cooperation and information exchange on asylum among member states.

Brussels

press conference

asylum procedures in the EU (T)

European Asylum Support Office

YONCHEVA, Elena (S&D, BG)

new pact on asylum and migration (T)

Press conference by Elena YONCHEVA (S&D, BG), rapporteur, on the political agreement reached EU Asylum Agency

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/3023329/I208583Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Title: Press conference by Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), rapporteur, on the political agreement reached EU Asylum Agency

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, Good afternoon, It's a huge privilege to be here today. And today is a historic day for the Union asylum policy. Not only will have a real fully fledged Asylum Agency in the European Union for the first time, but we also showed that the reform of the CEAS (Common European Asylum System), it is possible. The reform of the Common European Asylum System, its already a fact.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, The European Asylum Agency is the first building block in the new common European asylum system based on the meaningful solidarity, effective asylum procedures and stronger protection of fundamental rights. Under today's agreement, the new agency will help will help governments with the relocation and transfer of asylum seekers in the European Union. The new agency will also play a crucial role in monitoring the European Union's common asylum system in practise, including preventing fundamental right violence in member states asylum and reception system. The agreement that has been reached with the Council today guarantees the establishment of a strong and fully-fledged asylum agency.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, Agency that can face the new challenges, provide adequate support, be equipped to meet the expectations on the ground. But what's more important, the asylum agency can make a difference, and that can ensure the full implementation of the common European asylum system. The EASO (EU Asylum Support Office) has not been upgraded since the establishment more than ten years ago. It's a huge really a waste of time. Moreover, despite all the pressure during the recent years and the ever growing expectations for support, EASO has been left to function as an ordinary service.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapportuer, In light of this, the European Parliament and my political group in particular has piloted the process to overcome the blockage of the past four years. And the agency will deliver practical solidarity to our member states in order to assist the member states and to assist the member states on the front line. In particular, we managed to agree on the following main priorities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, First, amongst the main task of the new agency, we managed to ensure that we will perform task to support the relocation and transfer of applicants and beneficiaries of international protection with the Union, as well as handling all issues related to the relocation procedures. Second, it shall also assist member states with their action on resettlement. Third, in a moment where we have witnessed many instances and many cases of violating human rights that remains unresolved. We managed to include that the agency shall monitor the operational and technical application of the common European Asylum system in Europe in order to prevent or identify possible shortcomings in the asylum and reception system in the member states. And also to assess their capacity in order to enhance, to increase the efficiency of the asylum system.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, Fought beyond the support for relocation, we managed to include the second month at EASO liaison officer in all member states. Then asked the cooperation with the UNHCR Department of Fundamental Rights Officers, the establishment of a forum with the Civil Society and the establishment of Asylum Support Team.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, Today's agreement on the establishment of strong European Asylum Agency is a cornerstone of the European asylum policy and I really believe it's going to make a big difference. Our asylum policy won't be seen anymore, only through border perspective and through the external dimension. Today, we brought back the focus on the internal dimension, our own capacities to manage the migration flow and to protect effectively those in need of protection. And I want to thank all the political groups in the parliament for taking the responsibility to lead the asylum reform.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, I strongly believe that the agreement of the establishment of the Union Asylum Agency will give the necessary impact also on the other legislative proposals and soon we will see developments there. I really believe that having closing the file, we are going to help all the other files that have been blocked during so many years. I am confident that today's agreement will be an important step in moving the entire package of interlinked asylum legislation forward. And I believe this is a real sign that the European Union is capable of delivering on on migration.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), Rapporteur, The negotiations were not easy. But we work very good with the shadows. And the outcomes proves that with strong engagement with political leadership and responsibility, we can make finally happen after four years. So thank you. Thank you very much.

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