EUROPEAN COMMISSION
MEMO
Brussels, 9 October 2013
EU action in the fields of migration and asylum
The European Union is developing a broad range of policies and instruments to manage the increasing challenge of migration, security of external borders and asylum. It does so in full respect with human rights and fundamental values. The EU action is complementing the competencies and action of Member States who in many cases (like in the area of residence permits, asylum decisions, reception of refugees, external border management etc.) retain exclusive competences. This MEMO provides an overview of current activities.
1. Surveillance and external border controls
The European Commission assists Member States in managing an increasing influx of migrants and asylum seekers and protecting the life of migrants trying to reach European shores. The European Union aims to be an area of protection for those non-EU nationals coming to Europe to seek protection from persecution or violence. This means providing access to asylum procedures and dignified and decent conditions for those who apply for asylum (asylum seekers) and those granted protection (refugees). Asylum seekers are not irregular migrants and have the right to remain on the territory of an EU Member State during the period of their asylum application. Europe also addresses the issue of irregular migration and aims to ensure that we have a humane return policy with clear, transparent and fair common rules for the return of persons coming to the EU irregularly or those who have overstayed their visa-free period of up to three months, and who do not have the intention to seek protection.
A) Frontex
Frontex was established to coordinate and facilitate the management of the external borders of the Union. The Agency became fully operational on 3 October 2005 and is based in Warsaw (Poland). Its primary responsibility is to coordinate operational cooperation between Member States in managing the external...
