Today, the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Ms. Nina GREGORI addressed the first session of a three-part online policy dialogue on “Migration and Asylum – Towards a joint European response”. In her remarks at the event organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Istituto Luigi Sturzo, she outlined the pillars and the work of the strengthened Agency, and how these support Member States, particularly those on the front line of events in the Central Mediterranean.

Speaking during the first session entitled “New structures and strategies for unresolved challenges”, the Executive Director outlined several improvements the recently strengthened EUAA regulation brings, and how the Agency provides quicker and more targeted support to EU Member States as a result. In particular, Ms. Gregori noted the upcoming Monitoring Mechanism that will help  Member States identify challenges as well as the Agency’s huge operational footprint in half of the European Union.

Addressing the situation in Central Mediterranean, where the Italian authorities have recorded over 10 000 asylum applications just in February, the Executive Director outlined the Operational Support the Agency provides to the Italian authorities, following disembarkation, for example in terms of information provision to applicants and assessing their vulnerability. The Agency’s support also extends to the judiciary. Finally, Ms. Gregori outlined support to relocation under the Solidarity Declaration, acknowledging that all actors had to accelerate their efforts.

The panel also featured presentations by Members of the European Parliament, including Mr. Jeroen LENAERS who has shepherded key Home Affairs proposals, including the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the use of the Schengen Information System and the Interoperability framework; and Mr. Marcus FERBER. The European Commission was represented by Ms. Natasha Bertaud, Deputy Head of Cabinet to Mr. Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life.