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European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
European Asylum Support Office
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
EASO annual activity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union
Freephone number ()
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11()ensp The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or
hotels may charge you)
More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (httpeuropaeu)
Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication
Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union 2013
ISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
copy European Asylum Support Office 2013
Neither EASO nor any person acting on its behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Contents
5 Annexes 551 EASO progress report 2012 552 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme 953 EASO publications in 2012 1154 EASO annual report on access to documents 1155 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012 13
5 A
nnex
es
51
EA
SO p
rogr
ess r
epor
t 201
2
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(1) P
erm
anen
t su
ppor
t
(a)E
ASO
trai
ning
ndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
stra
tegy
ndashenspEA
SO tr
aini
ng se
ssio
nsndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
mod
ules
up
date
dndashensp
othe
r
ndash 2
trai
ning
sess
ions
in
Luxe
mbo
urg
ndash 2
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sions
in
Mal
tandash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
E-pl
atfo
rm e
valu
atio
n la
unch
ed
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng st
rate
gy a
dopt
edndash
6 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash Tr
aini
ng N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Term
s of r
efer
ence
for E
ASO
tr
aini
ng N
CPs a
dopt
edndash
3 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Deve
lopm
ent o
f EAS
O tr
aini
ng
cock
pit l
aunc
hed
ndash Tr
ansf
er o
f EAC
serv
ers t
o EA
SO
initi
ated
ndash 1
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sion
in
Gree
cendash
2 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash 3
trai
ning
mod
ules
upd
ated
ndash E-
plat
form
eva
luat
ion
final
ised
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng p
lan
2013
and
EAS
O
upda
ting
plan
for t
rain
ing
mod
ules
20
13ndash
4 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
nsndash
EASO
ann
ual d
idac
tic se
min
arndash
Trai
ning
NCP
mee
ting
ndash U
pdat
ed v
ersio
n of
term
s of
refe
renc
e fo
r EAS
O tr
aini
ng a
nd
expe
rt p
ool
ndash An
nual
mee
ting
with
trai
ning
re
fere
nce
grou
pndash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Initi
atio
n of
CEA
S m
odul
e de
velo
pmen
tndash
Tran
sfer
of E
AC se
rver
s to
EASO
ndash La
unch
of a
cur
ricul
um fo
r m
embe
rs o
f cou
rts a
nd tr
ibun
als
(b) Q
ualit
y pr
oces
ses
ndashenspQ
ualit
y ex
pert
mee
tings
ndashensp Q
ualit
y re
view
of m
ater
ials
deliv
ered
by
EASO
asy
lum
su
ppor
t tea
ms
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gy
initi
ated
ndash Ad
viso
ry m
eetin
gs o
n EA
SO
qual
ity a
ctiv
ities
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gyndash
Colle
ctin
g da
ta o
n pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es re
late
d to
qu
ality
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
rese
arch
to
ol fo
r the
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent
(qua
lity
mat
rix)
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
rsquos qu
ality
as
sess
men
t app
roac
h an
d to
ols
with
Mem
ber S
tate
s
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
European Asylum Support Office
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
EASO annual activity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union
Freephone number ()
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11()ensp The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or
hotels may charge you)
More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (httpeuropaeu)
Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication
Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union 2013
ISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
copy European Asylum Support Office 2013
Neither EASO nor any person acting on its behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Contents
5 Annexes 551 EASO progress report 2012 552 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme 953 EASO publications in 2012 1154 EASO annual report on access to documents 1155 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012 13
5 A
nnex
es
51
EA
SO p
rogr
ess r
epor
t 201
2
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(1) P
erm
anen
t su
ppor
t
(a)E
ASO
trai
ning
ndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
stra
tegy
ndashenspEA
SO tr
aini
ng se
ssio
nsndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
mod
ules
up
date
dndashensp
othe
r
ndash 2
trai
ning
sess
ions
in
Luxe
mbo
urg
ndash 2
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sions
in
Mal
tandash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
E-pl
atfo
rm e
valu
atio
n la
unch
ed
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng st
rate
gy a
dopt
edndash
6 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash Tr
aini
ng N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Term
s of r
efer
ence
for E
ASO
tr
aini
ng N
CPs a
dopt
edndash
3 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Deve
lopm
ent o
f EAS
O tr
aini
ng
cock
pit l
aunc
hed
ndash Tr
ansf
er o
f EAC
serv
ers t
o EA
SO
initi
ated
ndash 1
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sion
in
Gree
cendash
2 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash 3
trai
ning
mod
ules
upd
ated
ndash E-
plat
form
eva
luat
ion
final
ised
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng p
lan
2013
and
EAS
O
upda
ting
plan
for t
rain
ing
mod
ules
20
13ndash
4 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
nsndash
EASO
ann
ual d
idac
tic se
min
arndash
Trai
ning
NCP
mee
ting
ndash U
pdat
ed v
ersio
n of
term
s of
refe
renc
e fo
r EAS
O tr
aini
ng a
nd
expe
rt p
ool
ndash An
nual
mee
ting
with
trai
ning
re
fere
nce
grou
pndash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Initi
atio
n of
CEA
S m
odul
e de
velo
pmen
tndash
Tran
sfer
of E
AC se
rver
s to
EASO
ndash La
unch
of a
cur
ricul
um fo
r m
embe
rs o
f cou
rts a
nd tr
ibun
als
(b) Q
ualit
y pr
oces
ses
ndashenspQ
ualit
y ex
pert
mee
tings
ndashensp Q
ualit
y re
view
of m
ater
ials
deliv
ered
by
EASO
asy
lum
su
ppor
t tea
ms
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gy
initi
ated
ndash Ad
viso
ry m
eetin
gs o
n EA
SO
qual
ity a
ctiv
ities
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gyndash
Colle
ctin
g da
ta o
n pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es re
late
d to
qu
ality
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
rese
arch
to
ol fo
r the
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent
(qua
lity
mat
rix)
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
rsquos qu
ality
as
sess
men
t app
roac
h an
d to
ols
with
Mem
ber S
tate
s
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union
Freephone number ()
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11()ensp The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or
hotels may charge you)
More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (httpeuropaeu)
Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication
Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union 2013
ISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
copy European Asylum Support Office 2013
Neither EASO nor any person acting on its behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged
Contents
5 Annexes 551 EASO progress report 2012 552 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme 953 EASO publications in 2012 1154 EASO annual report on access to documents 1155 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012 13
5 A
nnex
es
51
EA
SO p
rogr
ess r
epor
t 201
2
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(1) P
erm
anen
t su
ppor
t
(a)E
ASO
trai
ning
ndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
stra
tegy
ndashenspEA
SO tr
aini
ng se
ssio
nsndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
mod
ules
up
date
dndashensp
othe
r
ndash 2
trai
ning
sess
ions
in
Luxe
mbo
urg
ndash 2
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sions
in
Mal
tandash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
E-pl
atfo
rm e
valu
atio
n la
unch
ed
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng st
rate
gy a
dopt
edndash
6 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash Tr
aini
ng N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Term
s of r
efer
ence
for E
ASO
tr
aini
ng N
CPs a
dopt
edndash
3 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Deve
lopm
ent o
f EAS
O tr
aini
ng
cock
pit l
aunc
hed
ndash Tr
ansf
er o
f EAC
serv
ers t
o EA
SO
initi
ated
ndash 1
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sion
in
Gree
cendash
2 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash 3
trai
ning
mod
ules
upd
ated
ndash E-
plat
form
eva
luat
ion
final
ised
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng p
lan
2013
and
EAS
O
upda
ting
plan
for t
rain
ing
mod
ules
20
13ndash
4 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
nsndash
EASO
ann
ual d
idac
tic se
min
arndash
Trai
ning
NCP
mee
ting
ndash U
pdat
ed v
ersio
n of
term
s of
refe
renc
e fo
r EAS
O tr
aini
ng a
nd
expe
rt p
ool
ndash An
nual
mee
ting
with
trai
ning
re
fere
nce
grou
pndash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Initi
atio
n of
CEA
S m
odul
e de
velo
pmen
tndash
Tran
sfer
of E
AC se
rver
s to
EASO
ndash La
unch
of a
cur
ricul
um fo
r m
embe
rs o
f cou
rts a
nd tr
ibun
als
(b) Q
ualit
y pr
oces
ses
ndashenspQ
ualit
y ex
pert
mee
tings
ndashensp Q
ualit
y re
view
of m
ater
ials
deliv
ered
by
EASO
asy
lum
su
ppor
t tea
ms
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gy
initi
ated
ndash Ad
viso
ry m
eetin
gs o
n EA
SO
qual
ity a
ctiv
ities
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gyndash
Colle
ctin
g da
ta o
n pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es re
late
d to
qu
ality
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
rese
arch
to
ol fo
r the
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent
(qua
lity
mat
rix)
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
rsquos qu
ality
as
sess
men
t app
roac
h an
d to
ols
with
Mem
ber S
tate
s
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
Contents
5 Annexes 551 EASO progress report 2012 552 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme 953 EASO publications in 2012 1154 EASO annual report on access to documents 1155 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012 13
5 A
nnex
es
51
EA
SO p
rogr
ess r
epor
t 201
2
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(1) P
erm
anen
t su
ppor
t
(a)E
ASO
trai
ning
ndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
stra
tegy
ndashenspEA
SO tr
aini
ng se
ssio
nsndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
mod
ules
up
date
dndashensp
othe
r
ndash 2
trai
ning
sess
ions
in
Luxe
mbo
urg
ndash 2
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sions
in
Mal
tandash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
E-pl
atfo
rm e
valu
atio
n la
unch
ed
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng st
rate
gy a
dopt
edndash
6 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash Tr
aini
ng N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Term
s of r
efer
ence
for E
ASO
tr
aini
ng N
CPs a
dopt
edndash
3 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Deve
lopm
ent o
f EAS
O tr
aini
ng
cock
pit l
aunc
hed
ndash Tr
ansf
er o
f EAC
serv
ers t
o EA
SO
initi
ated
ndash 1
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sion
in
Gree
cendash
2 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash 3
trai
ning
mod
ules
upd
ated
ndash E-
plat
form
eva
luat
ion
final
ised
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng p
lan
2013
and
EAS
O
upda
ting
plan
for t
rain
ing
mod
ules
20
13ndash
4 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
nsndash
EASO
ann
ual d
idac
tic se
min
arndash
Trai
ning
NCP
mee
ting
ndash U
pdat
ed v
ersio
n of
term
s of
refe
renc
e fo
r EAS
O tr
aini
ng a
nd
expe
rt p
ool
ndash An
nual
mee
ting
with
trai
ning
re
fere
nce
grou
pndash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Initi
atio
n of
CEA
S m
odul
e de
velo
pmen
tndash
Tran
sfer
of E
AC se
rver
s to
EASO
ndash La
unch
of a
cur
ricul
um fo
r m
embe
rs o
f cou
rts a
nd tr
ibun
als
(b) Q
ualit
y pr
oces
ses
ndashenspQ
ualit
y ex
pert
mee
tings
ndashensp Q
ualit
y re
view
of m
ater
ials
deliv
ered
by
EASO
asy
lum
su
ppor
t tea
ms
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gy
initi
ated
ndash Ad
viso
ry m
eetin
gs o
n EA
SO
qual
ity a
ctiv
ities
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gyndash
Colle
ctin
g da
ta o
n pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es re
late
d to
qu
ality
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
rese
arch
to
ol fo
r the
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent
(qua
lity
mat
rix)
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
rsquos qu
ality
as
sess
men
t app
roac
h an
d to
ols
with
Mem
ber S
tate
s
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
5 A
nnex
es
51
EA
SO p
rogr
ess r
epor
t 201
2
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(1) P
erm
anen
t su
ppor
t
(a)E
ASO
trai
ning
ndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
stra
tegy
ndashenspEA
SO tr
aini
ng se
ssio
nsndashensp
EASO
trai
ning
mod
ules
up
date
dndashensp
othe
r
ndash 2
trai
ning
sess
ions
in
Luxe
mbo
urg
ndash 2
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sions
in
Mal
tandash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
E-pl
atfo
rm e
valu
atio
n la
unch
ed
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng st
rate
gy a
dopt
edndash
6 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash Tr
aini
ng N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Term
s of r
efer
ence
for E
ASO
tr
aini
ng N
CPs a
dopt
edndash
3 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Deve
lopm
ent o
f EAS
O tr
aini
ng
cock
pit l
aunc
hed
ndash Tr
ansf
er o
f EAC
serv
ers t
o EA
SO
initi
ated
ndash 1
trai
n-th
e-tr
aine
r ses
sion
in
Gree
cendash
2 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
ns in
M
alta
ndash 3
trai
ning
mod
ules
upd
ated
ndash E-
plat
form
eva
luat
ion
final
ised
ndash EA
SO tr
aini
ng p
lan
2013
and
EAS
O
upda
ting
plan
for t
rain
ing
mod
ules
20
13ndash
4 tr
ain-
the-
trai
ner s
essio
nsndash
EASO
ann
ual d
idac
tic se
min
arndash
Trai
ning
NCP
mee
ting
ndash U
pdat
ed v
ersio
n of
term
s of
refe
renc
e fo
r EAS
O tr
aini
ng a
nd
expe
rt p
ool
ndash An
nual
mee
ting
with
trai
ning
re
fere
nce
grou
pndash
2 tr
aini
ng m
odul
es u
pdat
edndash
Initi
atio
n of
CEA
S m
odul
e de
velo
pmen
tndash
Tran
sfer
of E
AC se
rver
s to
EASO
ndash La
unch
of a
cur
ricul
um fo
r m
embe
rs o
f cou
rts a
nd tr
ibun
als
(b) Q
ualit
y pr
oces
ses
ndashenspQ
ualit
y ex
pert
mee
tings
ndashensp Q
ualit
y re
view
of m
ater
ials
deliv
ered
by
EASO
asy
lum
su
ppor
t tea
ms
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gy
initi
ated
ndash Ad
viso
ry m
eetin
gs o
n EA
SO
qual
ity a
ctiv
ities
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent m
etho
dolo
gyndash
Colle
ctin
g da
ta o
n pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es re
late
d to
qu
ality
ndash De
velo
pmen
t of E
ASO
rese
arch
to
ol fo
r the
qua
lity
asse
ssm
ent
(qua
lity
mat
rix)
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
rsquos qu
ality
as
sess
men
t app
roac
h an
d to
ols
with
Mem
ber S
tate
s
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
6 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
ACTI
VITY
QUA
RTER
1Q
UART
ER 2
QUA
RTER
3Q
UART
ER 4
(c) C
ount
ry o
f Orig
in In
form
atio
nndash
COI t
ask
forc
e m
eetin
g (Ja
n)
ndash 4
mee
tings
of C
OI w
orki
ng
part
y
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afg
hani
stan
par
t 1 (J
une)
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
CO
I rep
ort o
n m
etho
dolo
gy (J
une)
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(May
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I wor
king
par
ty
ndash CO
I tas
k fo
rce
mee
ting
(Sep
)ndash
3 m
eetin
gs C
OI w
orki
ng p
arty
ndash Pu
blic
atio
n of
EAS
O C
OI r
epor
t on
Afgh
anist
an p
art 2
(Nov
)ndash
2 m
eetin
gs o
f CO
I por
tal w
orki
ng
part
yndash
1 m
eetin
g of
CO
I kno
wle
dge
man
agem
ent w
orki
ng p
arty
(d) E
ASO
list
of a
vaila
ble
lang
uage
s (LA
L)ndash
Man
agem
ent B
oard
dec
ision
on
the
fram
ewor
k fo
r EAS
O
lsquolist
of i
nter
pret
ersrsquo
ndash FP
I (1 ) N
CP m
eetin
g (M
ay)
ndash Es
tabl
ishm
ent o
f EAS
O L
AL
(e) E
ASO
pra
ctic
al c
oope
ratio
n m
eetin
gsndash
Plen
ary
Eura
sil h
and-
over
m
eetin
g (M
ar)
ndash Sy
ria w
orks
hop
(June
) ndash
Syria
wor
ksho
p (A
ug)
ndash Co
nfer
ence
on
lsquoAfg
hani
stan
CO
I an
d be
yond
rsquo (O
ct)
(f) U
nacc
ompa
nied
min
ors (
UM
) ex
pert
mee
tings
ndash La
unch
of E
ASO
que
stio
nnai
re
and
cons
ulta
tion
with
civ
il so
ciet
y on
age
ass
essm
ent
ndash EA
SO c
ontr
ibut
ion
to th
e Co
mm
issio
n m
id-t
erm
repo
rt
actio
n pl
an o
n U
M (2
010ndash
14)
ndash EA
SO in
trod
ucto
ry se
ssio
n on
U
M a
nd a
ge a
sses
smen
t (M
ay)
ndash 2
EASO
exp
ert m
eetin
gs o
n U
Mndash
2 EA
SO e
xper
t mee
tings
on
UM
ndash Dr
aftin
g of
the
EASO
age
as
sess
men
t han
dboo
k co
mm
ence
sndash
EASO
and
Com
miss
ion
deve
lopm
ent o
f que
stio
nnai
re a
nd
wor
k on
fam
ily tr
acin
g be
gins
(2) S
peci
al s
uppo
rt(a
) Tai
lor-m
ade
supp
ort a
nd
capa
city
bui
ldin
gndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt fo
r Sw
eden
la
unch
edndash
Spec
ial s
uppo
rt re
ques
t fro
m It
aly
(b) R
eloc
atio
nndash
Fact
-find
ing
and
pres
enta
tion
of re
port
on
relo
catio
n pr
ojec
ts
from
Mal
ta (J
une)
ndash In
form
al jo
int E
ASO
ndashCo
mm
issio
n m
eetin
g w
ith th
e re
leva
nt M
alte
se a
utho
ritie
s on
out
look
for E
urem
a II
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt in
JH
A Co
unci
l (O
ct)
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
n of
the
repo
rt a
t th
e co
nfer
ence
of t
he E
urop
ean
Mig
ratio
n N
etw
ork
in F
ranc
e (N
ov)
1 (1 ) Fo
cal p
oint
s for
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
atte
rs
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 7
(3) e
mer
genc
y su
ppor
t
(a) A
IP
ndashenspE
valu
atio
n AI
P ndash
enspAIP
mee
ting
ndash AI
P N
CP m
eetin
gndash
Eval
uatio
n an
d pr
opos
als t
o am
end
AIP
prof
iles (
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
) (M
ay)
ndash M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd d
ecisi
on o
n lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (J
une)
ndash Re
ques
t for
nom
inat
ions
for
lsquoAIP
20rsquo
(Jul
)ndash
Sett
ing
up lsquoA
IP 2
0rsquo (O
ctndash
Nov
)
(b) I
mpl
emen
ting
oper
atin
g pl
an
for G
reec
endash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 15
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e ndash
10 A
sylu
m S
uppo
rt Te
ams
activ
e in
Gre
ece
ndash 14
Asy
lum
Sup
port
Team
s act
ive
in G
reec
e
(4) I
nfor
mat
ion
and
anal
ysis
sup
port
(a) E
ASO
ann
ual r
epor
tndash
EASO
ann
ual r
epor
t and
act
ivity
re
port
pub
lishe
d (Ju
ne)
ndash Ci
vil s
ocie
ty in
vite
d to
send
co
mm
ents
on
annu
al re
port
(Ju
l)
ndash Br
eak-
out s
essio
ns in
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m o
n an
nual
repo
rt
(b) E
arly
war
ning
and
Pr
epar
edne
ss S
yste
m
ndashenspp
rese
ntat
ions
on
anal
ysis
ndashenspt
rend
s re
gion
al o
utlo
ok
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
JHA
Co
unci
l IG
C N
urnb
erg
GDI
SC
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
and
in
form
al JH
A Co
unci
l Fr
onte
x
ndash Pr
esen
tatio
ns in
EAS
O
Man
agem
ent B
oard
qua
rter
ly
repo
rtndash
Wes
tern
Bal
kans
and
Syr
ia a
d ho
c re
port
sndash
Join
t pap
er o
n an
EPS
with
the
Com
miss
ion
as p
er A
rtic
le 3
3 of
th
e Du
blin
regu
latio
n
(5) T
hird
cou
ntry
sup
port
(a) R
eset
tlem
ent
ndash EA
SO re
sett
lem
ent s
emin
ar
(Oct
)(b
) Ext
erna
l dim
ensio
nndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EU
ndashTun
isia
mob
ility
par
tner
ship
mee
ting
in T
unis
(Mar
)
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e Bu
dape
st
proc
ess
ndash Pa
rtic
ipat
ion
in th
e la
unch
of
Euro
pean
Com
miss
ionndash
Jord
an
nego
tiatio
ns fo
r mob
ility
pa
rtne
rshi
p (D
ec)
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
8 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(6) E
ASO
org
anis
atio
n
(a) R
ecru
it up
to 6
1 st
aff i
n EA
SOndash
15 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 6
staf
f rec
ruite
d ndash
7 st
aff r
ecru
ited
ndash 7
staf
f rec
ruite
d
(b) I
mpl
emen
t EAS
O b
udge
t 201
2ndash
Fina
ncia
l ind
epen
denc
endash
Budg
et im
plem
enta
tion
Com
mitm
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
78
ndash
Paym
ent a
ppro
pria
tions
67
(c
) EAS
O M
anag
emen
t Boa
rdndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(F
eb)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd (J
une)
ndash EA
SO M
anag
emen
t Boa
rd
(Sep
)ndash
EASO
Man
agem
ent B
oard
(Nov
)
(d) M
ove
to th
e EA
SO d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s in
valle
tta
Harb
our
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n of
gra
nt e
xten
sion
for c
ompl
etin
g th
e w
orks
ndash M
ove
to d
efin
itive
pre
mise
s (S
ep)
ndash Fi
nalis
atio
n w
orks
in d
efin
itive
pr
emise
s (gr
ound
floo
r) (D
ecndash
Ja
n 2
013)
(e) E
ASO
com
mun
icat
ion
stra
tegy
ndash EA
SO c
omm
unic
atio
n st
rate
gy
(June
)(f)
EAS
O w
ebsit
ew
eb p
orta
lndash
Laun
ch o
f tem
pora
ry E
ASO
w
ebsit
e (S
ep)
ndash La
unch
of d
efin
itive
EAS
O w
ebsit
e
(g) E
stab
lish
stro
ng c
oope
ratio
n re
latio
ns w
ith p
artn
ers a
nd
stak
ehol
ders
of E
ASO
ndash EA
SO h
earin
g at
Eur
opea
n Pa
rliam
ent (
LIBE
Com
mitt
ee)
(Jan
)ndash
EASO
join
s the
hea
ds o
f JHA
ag
enci
esrsquo n
etw
ork
and
the
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
(Feb
)ndash
Advi
sory
Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Fr
onte
x Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
(M
ar)
ndash Ad
viso
ry C
omm
ittee
of t
he
Fron
tex
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m
(Apr
)ndash
1st r
ound
of n
egot
iatio
ns w
ith
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ies (
May
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(June
)ndash
Part
icip
atio
n in
EM
N n
atio
nal
cont
act p
oint
s mee
ting
(June
)
ndash Se
nior
man
agem
ent
cons
ulta
tions
bet
wee
n U
NHC
R an
d EA
SO (J
ul)
ndash W
orki
ng a
rran
gem
ent
betw
een
Fron
tex
and
EASO
sig
ned
(Sep
)ndash
2nd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
cou
ntrie
s (S
ep)
ndash EA
SO jo
ins t
he In
tera
genc
y Le
gal N
etw
ork
(IALN
) (Se
p)
ndash 1s
t Fro
ntex
Con
sulta
tive
Foru
m
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
JHA
agen
cies
rsquo con
tact
gro
up
mee
ting
(Oct
)ndash
3rd
roun
d of
neg
otia
tions
with
the
asso
ciat
ed c
ount
ries (
Oct
)ndash
EASO
hea
ring
at E
urop
ean
Parli
amen
t (LI
BE C
omm
ittee
) (N
ov)
ndash St
art o
f neg
otia
tions
on
a w
orki
ng
arra
ngem
ent b
etw
een
EASO
and
UN
HCR
and
betw
een
EASO
and
FRA
ndash JH
A ag
enci
esrsquo m
eetin
g (D
ec)
(h) C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
co
nsul
tatio
ns w
ith c
ivil
soci
ety
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
UM
tra
inin
gndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (M
ar)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
trai
ning
EAS
O w
orki
ng
prog
ram
me
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
qual
ity r
eset
tlem
ent
annu
al
repo
rtndash
Mee
ting
of th
e EA
SO
Cons
ulta
tive
Foru
m a
dviso
ry
grou
p (S
ep)
ndash Co
nsul
tativ
e Fo
rum
op
erat
iona
l pla
n pr
esen
ted
to
advi
sory
gro
up (S
ep)
ndash Se
cond
EAS
O C
onsu
ltativ
e Fo
rum
pl
enar
y m
eetin
g (N
ov)
ndash Co
nsul
tatio
ns o
n in
ter a
lia
rese
ttle
men
t CO
I tr
aini
ng E
PS
annu
al re
port
wor
k pr
ogra
mm
e
qual
ity a
nd U
M
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 9
52 Implementation of EASO actions under the Stockholm programme
In 2010 the European Unionrsquos Stockholm programme was adopted with an action plan for the 3 years from 2010ndash12 (2)
The Stockholm action plan clearly stipulates four priorities to be carried out by EASO
1 development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
2 further development of a common educational platform for national asylum officials building on the European Asylum Curriculum in particular
3 development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions4 evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help
those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The level of implementation by 2012 is given per priority defined for EASO
(1) Development of methods to better identify those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows and to cooperate with Frontex wherever possible
1 Methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows together with Frontex lie in joint operational support activities to EU Member States and joint training on nation-ality establishment Following a request from Greece Frontex and EASO are currently cooperating in a first joint operation in Greece via the development of common training on nationality establishment for the staff of the first reception service and the asylum service This pilot training is part of the Operating Plan Greece Phase II and was to take place on 29 and 30 April 2013 in Athens (more regional locations to follow) Furthermore the experience gathered through the EASOndashFrontex cooperation will be used as input for other joint operations and for developing methods of better identifying those who are in need of international protection in mixed flows
2 A first joint EASOndashFrontex meeting was held in 2012 in order to develop guidelines for operational co-operation in case of a sudden arrival of mixed flows in Member States A meeting is planned to identify the opportunities in and explore the possibilities for establishing common or mixed teams from the pools with border management and asylum experts (in accordance with Article 3 of the EASOndashFrontex working arrangement of 26 September 2012)
(2) Further develop a common educational platform for national asylum officials building in particular the European Asylum Curriculum
According to its training strategy EASO already has developed a common educational platform for national asy-lum officials with a training curriculum of 13 modules In 2013 a new training module on management will be finalised All the training modules are regularly updated and the quality is ensured by the involvement of a refer-ence group (UNHCR European Commission ECRE Odysseus IARLJ)
The module lsquoEU Asylum Law and Policyrsquo is to be replaced in 2013 by a new module on the CEAS The training cockpit has been conceptualised to allow a clear view and help Member States in their implementation of the curriculum (training of their staff)
EASO training is a continuous process of providing an educational platform to EU Member States as well as a permanent process of updating content and tools to deliver the maximum quality
(2) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions lsquoDelivering an area of freedom security and justice for Europersquos citizens Action plan implementing the Stockholm programmersquo COM(2010) 171 final
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
10 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
(3) Development of a common methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions
Reducing disparities in asylum decisions also means taking a closer look behind the figures
bull Disparities in recognition rates can only be considered for similar flows For example aggregating a 95 acceptance rate from Syria and a 95 rejection rate from a similarly sized flow from Serbia and the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gives a total of 50 recognition but hides the real protection extended to asylum seekers
bull Furthermore the legal regimes used to accord international or national protection may be different between Member States or changed over time by the same Member States in regard to the same flow (eg the current case of Syria) Due to the lack of a common methodology these regime changes occur in a different way across the EU
bull Finally lsquounofficialrsquo practices and policies may be in use and change the interpretation that should be made of the official figures for instance leaving claims pending mdash in effect deciding not to decide mdash or rejecting claims while knowing that returns are impossible
EASO will analyse the data of EU Member States using quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to identify what kind of disparities are actually present before suggesting methodologies for minimising them In this regard EASO held a meeting with Member States on Syria in March 2013 together with the European Commission with the aim of understanding disparities of treatment of asylum cases from Syria This is a first step in reducing the overall disparity in asylum decisions During the meeting Member States were asked how they could improve homogeneity when facing crises such as the Syrian one including what regimes should be used in which circum-stances in the source country what signals could be used to indicate when the regimes used should be changed and what determines the change in acceptance rate over time
Training also contributes to the development of a common methodology on reducing disparities of asylum deci-sions because all asylum caseworkers are trained with the same curriculum and common understanding This has also been noticed by EU Member States for instance Finland remarked that its asylum decision-making is more in line with the CEAS since its staff have been trained via the EASO training sessions and curriculum
The quality matrix gives and will continue to give a clearer view of the situation in Member States on the various aspects of the CEAS It will identify needs and present ways to support Member States With regard to a com-mon methodology with a view to reducing disparities of asylum decisions best practices and specific common approaches will be presented and discussed amongst all Member States A first thematic will be the lsquopersonal interviewrsquo with a meeting in March 2013 to be followed by other thematic meetings The list of existing initia-tives has already been completed and distributed
(4) Evaluation and development of procedures for facilitation of the secondment of officials in order to help those Member States facing particular pressures of asylum seekers flows
The Asylum Support Teams with experts from Member States deployed in Member States under particular pres-sure due to a high asylum influx are working well and the impact is noticed
An assessment of the Asylum Support Teams was presented at the EASO Management Board meeting in Novem-ber 2012 following a National Contact Point meeting A direct result of the positive evaluation was the addition of more profiles to the Asylum Intervention Pool in order to match more precisely the identified needs
In addition the Asylum Support Teams are continuously evaluated by both the host Member State and the experts themselves This approach will ensure a smooth functioning in cooperation with all the participants The support will also be evaluated in order to identify best practices and possible hurdles to be overcome With the evaluation of all participants special and emergency support aims at delivering support of the highest quality
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 11
53 EASO publications in 2012
During 2012 EASO published the following documents
Publication Languages in which the document was published
EASO annual report on the situation of asylum in the EU and on the activities of the European Asylum Support Office for 2011
All official EU languages
EASO brochure English French GermanEASO work programme 2013 All official EU languages10 editions of the EASO newsletter EnglishEASO communication strategy EnglishEASO training strategy EnglishEASO Country of Origin Information report lsquoAfghanistan Taliban strategies mdash Recruitmentrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin information report lsquoAfghanistan Insurgent strategies intimidation and targeted violence against Afghansrsquo
English French German Italian Spanish
EASO Country of Origin report methodology English French German Italian SpanishEASO fact finding report on intra-EU relocation activities from Malta
English
54 EASO annual report on access to documents
Introduction
Public sector information may be a significant economic political and social resource by adding value to the deci-sion-making processes and facilitating the developments of organisations individuals and society
Openness and availability of EU information enables citizens to participate more closely in the EU decision-mak-ing process By being transparent EU institutions and bodies are more effective and more accountable to the citizen Transparency also contributes to strengthening the principles of democracy and respect for fundamental rights
In this context access to documents is a right recognised in Article 15(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union In order to grant the right to access to documents and promote good governance EASO con-ducts its work as openly as possible
Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May regarding public access to European Parliament Council and Commission documents foresees that each institution shall publish annually a report for the preceding year including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents The aforementioned regulation applies to EASO according to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 4392010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing EASO
Furthermore Decision No 6 of the Management Board of EASO of 20 September 2011 laid down practical arrangements on public access to EASO documents This decision stipulates that EASO shall annex the report on access to documents to its annual report (Article 17)
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
12 mdash EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012
EASOrsquos procedure on access to documents
Any person may exercise the right to access to documents held by EASO by making a request in writing If the document originates in a third party or is co-authored by a third party EASO consults the third party concerned The Executive Director of EASO replies to initial applications within 15 working days Refusals to grant access to the requested documents can only be based on specific exceptions If access to the document is not granted the requesting person may lodge a confirmatory application within 15 working days The Executive Director of EASO replies to confirmatory applications within 15 working days If access is refused following a confirmatory application the requesting person may bring an action in the Court of Justice of the European Union andor file a complaint with the European Ombudsman
The following chart describes the EASO processes on access to documents
Key developments on access to documents in 2012
In 2012 the first full year of operations EASO adopted its communication strategy confirming its commitment to promote openness and transparency communicating its activities by a consistent flow of information
EASO also launched its website (httpwwweasoeuropaeu) which serves as a platform for facilitating access to EASO documents
During the reference period EASO decided on initial and confirmatory requests as detailed hereunder
Initial applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 EASO received 13 initial requests to access nine documents Access was refused to two documents on the basis of the protection of privacy and integrity of the individual and on the basis of the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 10492001 and Article 3 of Management Board Decision No 6)
Confirmatory applications on access to documents in 2012
During 2012 one confirmatory request was presented to access one document The reply to this request con-firmed the application of the exception related to the protection of EASOrsquos decision-making process
Complaints lodged to the European Ombudsman or actions brought in the CJEU
In 2012 no actions were brought in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and no complaints were filed with the European Ombudsman regarding EASOrsquos decisions on access to documents
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
EASO ANNUAL ACTIvITy REPORT 2012 mdash 13
55 EASOrsquos final annual accounts for 2012
In the roadmap on the follow-up to the common approach on EU decentralised agencies one of the initiatives initiative No 32 states that agencies will produce a single annual report A non-paper of the Commission services of January 2013 proposes streamlining the reporting obligations of decentralised agencies by providing a con-solidated annual activity report including comprehensive information on budgetary and financial management
EASO fully agrees with and supports this general approach to the reporting obligations of decentralised agen-cies Therefore EASO will not produce a different report with regard to the implementation of the budget and budgetary and financial management but will take over the suggestion to integrate the report by EASOrsquos Account-ing Officer into its annual activity report
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
European Asylum Support OfficeAnnual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union 2012Luxembourg Publications Office of the European Union2013 mdash 13 pp mdash 21 times 297 cmISBN 978-92-9243-005-4doi10284744820
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
HOW TO OBTAIN EU PUBLICATIONS
Free publications bull one copy
via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
bull more than one copy or postersmaps from the European Unionrsquos representations (httpeceuropaeurepresent_enhtm) from the delegations in non-EU countries (httpeeaseuropaeudelegationsindex_enhtm) by contacting the Europe Direct service (httpeuropaeueuropedirectindex_enhtm) or calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) () () The information given is free as are most calls (though some operators phone boxes or hotels may charge you)
Priced publications bull via EU Bookshop (httpbookshopeuropaeu)
Priced subscriptions bull via one of the sales agents of the Publications Office of the European Union
(httppublicationseuropaeuothersagentsindex_enhtm)
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
European Asylum Support Offi ce
SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION
BZ-AD-13-001-EN-N
doi10284744820
EASO annual acti vity report 2012
Part II ANNEXES
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