The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed last week a working agreement which aims to establish a stronger cooperation between both organisations.
The organisations have agreed to cooperate on gathering and analysing information on the needs of specific Member States and to explore cooperation, coordination and participation in emergency support activities on a case-by-case basis.
“The cooperation between UNHCR and EASO should contribute to the strengthening of asylum and protection in Europe and worldwide. This is of crucial importance, not least as we face a humanitarian crisis unparalleled in recent history at Europe’s doorstep, with the displacement of millions of Syrian refugees”, stated António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when signing the agreement.
Other main areas of cooperation include training and professional development; exchange of information and materials on Country of Origin Information; data and information gathering and analysis; sharing relevant information and best practices in the field of intra-EU relocation and on resettlement; and sharing information and expertise relating to the identification, protection and needs of vulnerable persons.
This article originally appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin of 20 December 2013
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