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Monday 01 Jul 2013 @ 13:05
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Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland finalise working arrangements for their participation in the work of EASO
EASO welcomes that today, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland initialed working arrangements for their participation in the work of EASO. The working arrangements will allow the Associate Countries to participate in EASO's work and be entitled to receive support actions from EASO. Moreover, nationals of the Associate Countries may be engaged under contract by EASO. Finally, the Associate Countries will be represented in the EASO Management Board as observers.
In January 2012, the European Commission received a Council mandate to enter into negotiations for such arrangements with the Associate Countries. EASO participated in the process as an observer. Four rounds of negotiations took place with the last one being held on 21 February 2013, where preliminary agreement on the text was reached. Following internal consultations within the Commission and after having obtained the agreement of the Associate Countries, the text was given the green light by the Justice and Home Affairs Counsellors in Council.
The European Commission should now adopt a proposal to the Council for signature and conclusion of the arrangements. The Council should subsequently authorise the European Commission to sign the arrangements and after the EU Parliament renders its consent it should adopt its decision concerning the conclusion of the arrangements. Finally, the texts will then be published in the Official Journal. The working arrangements will come into force once the National Parliaments of the associate countries ratify the agreements.
Any further information may be obtained from the European Asylum Support Office by contacting Mr Jean-Pierre Schembri on the following e-mail address: jean-pierre.schembri@easo.europa.eu
In January 2012, the European Commission received a Council mandate to enter into negotiations for such arrangements with the Associate Countries. EASO participated in the process as an observer. Four rounds of negotiations took place with the last one being held on 21 February 2013, where preliminary agreement on the text was reached. Following internal consultations within the Commission and after having obtained the agreement of the Associate Countries, the text was given the green light by the Justice and Home Affairs Counsellors in Council.
The European Commission should now adopt a proposal to the Council for signature and conclusion of the arrangements. The Council should subsequently authorise the European Commission to sign the arrangements and after the EU Parliament renders its consent it should adopt its decision concerning the conclusion of the arrangements. Finally, the texts will then be published in the Official Journal. The working arrangements will come into force once the National Parliaments of the associate countries ratify the agreements.
Any further information may be obtained from the European Asylum Support Office by contacting Mr Jean-Pierre Schembri on the following e-mail address: jean-pierre.schembri@easo.europa.eu
