Brussels, 11/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, on the initiative of Antonio Vitorino, the European Commission will adopt a draft Directive setting "minimum standards for the qualification and status of persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection". It is the 5th draft Asylum Directive and deals with two essential issues - clearly defining refugees and determining who should benefit from international protection. Commissioner Vitorino explained that by adopting this legislation, the Commission was "completing its work on a proposed set of "building blocks" which jointly constitute a first step of the Common European Asylum System, called for by the 1999 Tampere European Council". He added, "We have respected the timeframe and political mandate agreed upon in Tampere, and laid down the foundations for the negotiations on a common European Union asylum policy. The ball is now in the court of the Member States".
With its proposal, the Commission aims to set minimum standards for the status of applicants for international protection as refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection status; ensure a minimum level of protection is available in all Member States for those who genuinely need international protection; and reduce disparities between Member States' legislation and practice as the first step towards full harmonisation. The proposal also reflects on the issue of the "agent of persecution" and the specific needs of women and children. It is related to four earlier initiatives, namely 1) the Council Directive on temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons; 2) the draft Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum applicants in Member States; 3) the draft Directive on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing asylum status; and 4) the draft Regulation setting the criteria and mechanisms for determining which Member State is responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in a Member State by a third country national.
Mr Vitorino's spokesperson, Leonello Gabrici, said that it was clear that it was not always easy for Foreign Ministers in each Member State to propose even minor changes in their country's legislation, especially on issues as sensitive as asylum and immigration, but explained that the Commission was making things easier for them by presenting a complete package of Directives which they only had to negotiate once with the other Foreign Ministers (rather than taking one Directive at a time).