JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS COUNCIL : EU ASYLUM OFFICE RECEIVES BROAD BACKING.

• Position: Brief article

The EU's interior ministers expressed broad support for the creation of a European support office for asylum policy at their informal meeting in Slovenia on 25 January.

Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini, present at the meeting, indicated that there was a "broad consensus" of support for the idea, which was included the 2007 Green Paper on the future of the common European asylum system. Frattini stressed that the purpose of the office would not be "to coordinate from Brussels" member states' asylum policies. Its role will be rather to give member states technical assistance to improve their practical cooperation. A feasibility study into the office, undertaken by the European Commission, is due to be published around the start of the French EU Presidency in July.

A briefing note on the office was circulated to ministers by the Slovenian Presidency prior to the meeting. This stated that one of...