Foreword

• Author: Nina Gregori
• Profession: Executive Director, European Asylum Support Office
• Pages: 4-4

4

Foreword

With Europe experiencing yet again an increase in the number of applications for international

protection in 2019 (for the first time since 2015), asylum remains a high priority in the EU policy

agenda. As the trends change over time, we remain collectively working toward providing optimal

solutions to persons in need of protection, while maintaining the integrity of national asylum systems.

The 2020 edition of the EASO Asylum Rep ort offers a

concise and comprehensive overview of key developments

in international protection and the functioning of the

Common European Asylum System (CE AS). To produce its

annual flagship report, the European Asylum Support Office

(EASO) collects and analyses information from a wide range

of reliable sou rces to provide   look at policy

changes and improvements over the course of the year,

while underlining challenges which remain to be addressed.

As EASO celebrates its 10-          

importance in providing operational and technical assistance in asylum matters to EU+ countries. The

information produced by EASO is vital to enable policy-makers to make informed decisions, to enable

countries to cope with an ever- changing landscape of migratory patterns and to empower national

administrations in processing, case by case, a continuous stream of applications.

We look forward to the long-awaited adoption of a new regulation for the European Union Asylum

Agency, which will transform EASO into a fully-fledged EU agency, strengthen its role and expand its

mandate. As the centre of expertise on asylum, EASO will continue to provide service-oriented,

impartial and transparent support toward the effective implementation of CEAS.

I am grateful for the on-going collaboration with all our partners towards common, transparent and

sustainable asylum systems across Europe. Efficient systems can respond rapidly to the changing

patterns in migration flows and ensure a clear, fair and dignified process to each applicant for

international protection. We are already seeing global and national situations emerging in 2020 which

may lead to more people seeking refuge. Now, more than ever, we must continue to work towards a

truly common European asylum system by attaining convergence in addressing the needs for

international protection and showing solidarity with Member States which are under the greatest

pressure.

Nina Gregori

Executive Director

European Asylum Support Office