Brussels, 26/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 February, the directorate general for internal policies of the European Parliament, thematic department C "citizens' rights and constitutional affairs", published a study entitled "What system of burden-sharing between member states for the reception of asylum seekers?" This study is based around three major questions: what are the costs related to asylum borne by the member states? Of these costs, which could be shared out at European level? And, lastly, how could these costs be shared? This study is published against a backdrop of an ever-growing problem of managing illegal migration in the member states. The issue of migration is one of the major priorities of the EU. The report states that in 2007, Europe received just 14% of the world's refugees. That same year, 220,000 asylum requests were received by the EU27, corresponding to less than one asylum seeker per 2,200 European citizens. The report goes on to state that despite Europe's commitment to create a joint European asylum regime, standards may vary considerably from one member state to the next. The level of total asylum-related expenditure indicated by the member states is relatively low. However, the joint European asylum regime is vital, because the current system presents a clear risk to the single market and its provisions regarding the freedom of movement, the study argues. For more information, see: http: //http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/studies/download.do?language=en&file=29912 (V.L.B/transl.fl)