European Co-operation
Source: European Union
Co-operation in the area of asylum and immigration policy is an important aspect of creating a European zone of freedom, security and justice.
The initial legal bases for this at a European level have already been laid down as a result of the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam. These bases were updated in the Lisbon Treaty that came into effect on 1 December 2009.
In the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum of 2009 an agreement was made to create harmonised legal bases in a Common European Asylum System (CEAS). In addition it was stipulated that the practical co-operation between EU member states was to be strengthened.
The most important responsibilities of the Federal Office within the remit of European co-operation are:
- working in EU committees (EURASIL, European Migration Network)
- specialist support for the Federal Ministry of the Interior in carrying out its international duties
- co-operation between authorities and comparisons in the areas of asylum, migration, integration and return
- employing liaison personnel in and from European partner authorities
- publications and other announcements concerning the legal and factual changes in the EU
