Brdo pri Kranju – In a conversation with STA on Friday, Nina Gregori, the Executive Director of the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), emphasized the agency’s vital role in executing the migration and asylum pact. She assured that the proposed expedited asylum procedures will not compromise the rights of applicants.
The European migration and asylum pact was adopted by EU member states in May 2024, emphasizing a principle of mandatory solidarity among countries. The new regulations will enable the screening of non-EU nationals at the EU’s external borders, potentially leading to quicker processing of asylum applications and, when applications are rejected, a more rapid return to their home countries.
Gregori highlighted the importance of the EUAA in this framework, noting that the agency is responsible for developing guidelines, tools, and training, and will later assume an operational role. Currently, the EUAA is assisting several nations with housing, interpreters, and conducting interviews with asylum seekers. She reiterated that final decisions on asylum procedures remain firmly within the jurisdiction of the individual member states.
The EUAA is also working on compiling lists of safe countries of origin and safe third countries, which Gregori stated would facilitate more efficient processing of applications.
Changes introduced by the pact will particularly impact asylum seekers from designated safe countries. However, Gregori assured that each case will be assessed individually. If there is a genuine risk for an applicant, the standard asylum procedures will continue to be applied in the country where the application was submitted.
Gregori pointed out that exceptions can be made even for applicants from safe countries, especially for vulnerable groups like minors, as well as individuals from at-risk social groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and journalists. She made these remarks following the meeting of interior ministers of the Brdo Process in Slovenia on March 31.
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