Brussels, 28/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, would like to see a more proactive approach from the European Union when relocating refugees who are unable to return to their countries. Following a meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmström, the head of the HCR declared: “Relocation policy is gaining ground in Europe, particularly because of the creation of the European relocation policy. Nonetheless, not all member states are supporting it. We are particularly keen that the EU increase its contribution” in this connection. According to the HCR, relocation is an important tool for protecting refugees and provides lasting solutions every year for tens of thousands of refugees who are unable to find security in the first country in which they sought asylum and for whom returning to their original countries is an impossibility. Currently, 90% of refugees relocated every year go the US, Canada and Australia. European countries taken as a whole only provide 6% of relocation capacity in the world. Malmström indicated that the Commission would “try and work with member states to improve quotas” for refugees relocated in European countries. “It is very important that member states show solidarity, particularly with regard to vulnerable groups”, she said. Guterres has just been chosen to head the HCR for another five years and pointed out that one of his main concerns was to reduce the disparities in how asylum applications are dealt with in Europe. He pointed out that “policies are very different from one country to another. In some countries 98% of asylum requests are rejected, whereas in others, 70% of applications have a chance of being accepted”. He called on the EU to put a stop to this mosaic of asylum systems. In this context, Guterres indicated that he supported the European Commission's new proposals in this domain. He emphasised that “certain member states are resisting but, nonetheless, they represent a big leap forward” and highlighted the need for the EU to provide itself with a “genuine European asylum system”. “It is very important that we move forward and implement a common asylum system with the same procedures, to the benefit of both asylum seekers and member states”, concluded Malmström. During his visit, Guterres also held discussions with MEPs, the commissioner for justice Viviane Reding, the commissioner for enlargement Štefan Füle, and the commissioner for international cooperation and humanitarian aid, Kristalina Georgieva ( see other article). (B.C./transl.fl)