On 7 November, José Carreira, Executive Director of EASO, welcomed Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, to EASO Headquarters in Valletta, Malta.

During the meeting, Commissioner Avramopoulos was updated on key issues related to EASO’s activities on EU Relocation Programme, on implementation of the EU-TR Statement, as well as on the latest developments in EASO’s undertakings in the Hotspots in Greece and Italy.

EASO’s Executive Director, José Carreira thanked Commissioner Avramopoulos for his visit to EASO and held that “In the past months, EASO has been focusing its work on its operations in Greece and Italy. We are committed to ensure a tangible European response to migration challenges, to fully implement the EU Agenda on Migration, and we shall do everything in our power to overcome the huge challenges which we are currently encountering. EASO is working closely with the national authorities to monitor the situation and ensure a secure working environment that will allow EASO to continue its operations.”

Commissioner Avramopoulos thanked EASO’s Executive Director and his team for EASO’s crucial role on the field, in Italy and Greece and declared: “I am glad to see that this agency, which is deeply involved in the EU’s response to the current migratory challenges, has managed, in a very short time, to establish itself as a key player in the implementation of the EU Relocation Programme and the EU-Turkey Statement.”

Moreover, the Commissioner held a meeting with EASO staff where he thanked them for their remarkable work and efforts. Also, he stressed that he, and the EU, counts on EASO’s support at this important time.

Any further information on EASO may be obtained by contacting Mr. Jean-Pierre Schembri on the following e-mail address: jean-pierre.schembri@easo.europa.eu  (follow us live on twitter @EASO).