Brussels, 26/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Maltese authorities and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) signed a “seat agreement” in Brussels on Tuesday 24 May governing relations between them, the permanent representation for Malta in Brussels has announced. In November 2009, the Council had agreed to set up the support office in Valletta and talks between Malta and the Commission on future relations between the EASO and the government began in January 2010. The agreement signed on Tuesday, composed of 20 articles, will serve as a base for all operations conducted by the office. The EASO aims to help member states improve and reform their asylum regime and to come closer to standards under EU law. Thus, it can send teams of experts to countries where asylum systems are under great pressure. On 1 April, a plan was thus signed between the EASO and Greece for deploying teams of experts provided by member states in that country, and for helping the country establish an asylum system that better protects fundamental rights. (S.P./transl.jl)