EU acquis in the field of asylum ( plus an overview of the EU financial assistance to Turkey) JFS Team of the EU Delegation to Turkey

1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees - DEFINITION OF REFUGEE ( … owing to well- founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country, …or due to the same fear is unwilling to return to it). - PRINCIPLE OF NON_REFOULEMENT - DEFINITION OF REFUGEE ( … owing to well- founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country, …or due to the same fear is unwilling to return to it). - PRINCIPLE OF NON_REFOULEMENT Key references for the EU asylum policy Key references for the EU asylum policy EU Charter of Fundamental Rights European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) The EU acquis in the field of asylum European Court of Justice (EC J )

MS decided to take concrete steps in order to harmonise their legislation on asylum, based on common agreed principles and minimum standards. The EU acquis in the field of asylum Early 90s: Turning point in the development of a European response to the increasing flow of persons seeking international protection in the EU Asylum applications to EU countries peaked mainly after the break-up of major internal crisis in former communist countries (i.e. Balkan conflicts, Romanian instability after the fall of Ceausescu). TRIGGERING FACTORS TRIGGERING FACTORS TAMPERE EUROPEAN COUNCIL ‘99

The EU acquis in the field of asylum the first phase: development and consolidation of the Common European Asylum System Harmonisation efforts of MS brought about the building blocks of a new system setting common minimum standards on: - Qualification of persons as refugees or as persons in need of international protection ( Directive 2004/83/EC of ) - Reception of asylum seekers ( Directive 2003/9/EC of ) - Procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status ( Directive 2005/85/EC of ) - Establishing MS responsible for examining an asylum application (Council Regulation 2003/343/EC of ) Harmonisation efforts of MS brought about the building blocks of a new system setting common minimum standards on: - Qualification of persons as refugees or as persons in need of international protection ( Directive 2004/83/EC of ) - Reception of asylum seekers ( Directive 2003/9/EC of ) - Procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status ( Directive 2005/85/EC of ) - Establishing MS responsible for examining an asylum application (Council Regulation 2003/343/EC of ) Eurodac System Regulation 2000/2725/EC - Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC - Subsidiary Protection Directive 2004/83/EC - Eurodac System Regulation 2000/2725/EC - Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC - Subsidiary Protection Directive 2004/83/EC Additional measures Additional measures

OBJECTIVES Internal debate among MS on progress in the implementation and on the future architecture of the CEAS resulted in two key policy papers by the EC ► Green Paper (2007) ► Policy plan on Asylum (2008) Internal debate among MS on progress in the implementation and on the future architecture of the CEAS resulted in two key policy papers by the EC ► Green Paper (2007) ► Policy plan on Asylum (2008) The EU acquis in the field of asylum AFTER 2005 (Hague) AFTER 2005 (Hague) The second phase: taking stock of progress, improving the system and planning its development Ensure access to those in need of protection (managing migration and keeping asylum accessible); Implement a common procedure (efficient, transparent, fair); Determine a uniform status (both for asylum and subsidiary protection);

2008 OBJECTIVES Increase practical cooperation (common trainings, support to MS experiencing difficulties, assessing COIs…); Determine responsibilities and support solidarity (rules on the responsible MS must be complemented by adequate support mechanisms); Ensure coherence with other policies (migration management, border control…); Incorporate horizontal considerations (gender issues, special needs of vulnerable groups…). The EU acquis in the field of asylum Policy signposts: Policy signposts: European Pact on Immigration and Asylum ( … European Council considers that the time has come to take new initiatives to complete the establishment of a CEAS )

The EU acquis in the field of asylum A new roadmap for the coming years: the three pillars of the Common European Asylum System A new roadmap for the coming years: the three pillars of the Common European Asylum System ► Higher common standards of international protection (mainly through the monitoring and revision of the current legislation, as well as through the development of new tools) ► Practical cooperation (to ensure that legal harmonisation is reflected on the ground → European Asylum Support Office) ► Promoting responsibility and solidarity (promoting responsibility and solidarity within the EU, the external dimension…) How will the EU achieve its objectives? How will the EU achieve its objectives? The Stockholm Programme (Efforts must be made to set up the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) by 2012) 2010 Policy signposts: Policy signposts:

The EU acquis in the field of asylum A brief overview of financial tools and practical measures in support of the EU asylum policy A brief overview of financial tools and practical measures in support of the EU asylum policy European Refugee Fund → to support solidarity efforts between MS Mainstream geographical instruments (EDF, DCI, ENPI, IPA) and thematic instruments (ex AENEAS) → to finance the external dimension of the EU’s asylum policy at national and regional level European Refugee Fund → to support solidarity efforts between MS Mainstream geographical instruments (EDF, DCI, ENPI, IPA) and thematic instruments (ex AENEAS) → to finance the external dimension of the EU’s asylum policy at national and regional level Financial tools Managed and orderly entry of refugees into the EU → future development of an EU resettlement scheme, protected entry procedures, VISA facilitation based on protective considerations… Protection of refugees in the regions of origin → including by enhancing the protection capacity of first asylum countries (supported by RPPs) Managed and orderly entry of refugees into the EU → future development of an EU resettlement scheme, protected entry procedures, VISA facilitation based on protective considerations… Protection of refugees in the regions of origin → including by enhancing the protection capacity of first asylum countries (supported by RPPs) Measures

Suspended lives, perceived lives – awareness raising and training of public authorities and CSOs in Ankara, İzmir, Van, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Kırklareli, Kayseri Protection of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Other Persons in Need of International Protection – training to professionals, counselling services and information to persons in need and lobbying decision makers Suspended lives, perceived lives – awareness raising and training of public authorities and CSOs in Ankara, İzmir, Van, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Kırklareli, Kayseri Protection of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Other Persons in Need of International Protection – training to professionals, counselling services and information to persons in need and lobbying decision makers EIDHR funds establishment of reception centres in 7 key locations in Turkey - support includes works, supplies and technical assistance necessary to build and run 7 centres in Ankara, Erzurum Gaziantep, İzmir Kayseri, Kırklareli, and Van set up an Asylum and Country of Origin Information systems establishment of reception centres in 7 key locations in Turkey - support includes works, supplies and technical assistance necessary to build and run 7 centres in Ankara, Erzurum Gaziantep, İzmir Kayseri, Kırklareli, and Van set up an Asylum and Country of Origin Information systems The EU acquis in the field of asylum A brief overview current EU – Turkey financial cooperation in the field of asylum A brief overview current EU – Turkey financial cooperation in the field of asylum Mainstream IPA funds Mainstream IPA funds

establishment of removal centres and training the staff for these centres - support includes works, supplies and technical assistance necessary to build and run 2 centres in Ankara and Erzurum needs analysis and feasibility studies – to identify gaps in terms of infrastructure, HR, training and equipment for all types of border crossing points (sea, air and land) and green and blue borders drafting a road map – to organise and supervise internal border agencies activities as well as with neighbouring countries to facilitate the legitimate movement of people and goods while maintaining secure borders (IBM) training for border staff – including on humanitarian cases, asylum seekers, cultural differences… establishment of a risk management system - ensuring security and enabling the effective use of resources needs analysis and feasibility studies – to identify gaps in terms of infrastructure, HR, training and equipment for all types of border crossing points (sea, air and land) and green and blue borders drafting a road map – to organise and supervise internal border agencies activities as well as with neighbouring countries to facilitate the legitimate movement of people and goods while maintaining secure borders (IBM) training for border staff – including on humanitarian cases, asylum seekers, cultural differences… establishment of a risk management system - ensuring security and enabling the effective use of resources The EU acquis in the field of asylum A brief overview current EU – Turkey financial cooperation in related areas A brief overview current EU – Turkey financial cooperation in related areas Border management Border management MIGRATION