Brussels, 02/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers was hopeful about the chances of putting in place a common European asylum system by 2012, despite serious log-jams with a number of legislative texts. “It's in all our interests to have a common asylum system by 2012. We are sticking by the target set by the European Council, even though that means we all have to make concessions,” said Belgian Secretary of State for Migration Policy and Asylum Melchior Wathelet after a meeting with his counterparts from across Europe in Brussels. “We have made progress on all issues, including the legislative aspect of asylum, illegal immigration, security of external borders, the support office, practical cooperation, solidarity and legal migration,” he added. One of the great successes was in reaching agreement on amending the directive on long-term resident status, which refugees and those in receipt of international protection may be granted. Some issues remain “difficult” and “sensitive”, nonetheless. These include amendment of the Dublin regulation and the “procedure” and “reception” texts, Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström pointed out, indicating that she intended to amend a number of proposals to try to overcome member states' reservations (see EUROPE 10252). Both the Presidency and the Commission welcomed the commitment of the next four Presidencies - to be held by Hungary, Poland, Denmark and Cyprus - to take forward this whole issue. (B.C./transl.rt)