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The head of the EU Asylum Authority (EUAA), Nina Gregori, expects the number of asylum seekers in the European Union to increase further. “It is quite clear that the growing number of applications will continue for the foreseeable future.”

Gregori told the newspapers Funke Mediengruppe (online Monday). Instability and threats to human security are hallmarks of today’s world. “Unfortunately, they are not temporary.”

Geopolitical developments in 2021 and 2022 would have a direct impact on international protection needs and lead to increased displacement to EU countries, Gregori said.

Between January and October this year, almost 790,000 asylum applications were submitted in the EU. That is an increase of 54 percent compared to the same period last year. However, the number remains below that of 2015 and 2016, Gregori added. According to the EU asylum authority, most asylum seekers come from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. The number of asylum seekers has also increased recently in Germany.

Preventing the collapse of national asylum systems

War refugees from Ukraine do not have to go through lengthy asylum procedures in the EU. They have been given temporary protection since shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. According to Gregori, 4.7 million people have signed up for it. The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive has prevented the collapse of national European asylum systems, Gregori said. However, the millions of applications put “considerable pressure” on European admission systems.

Gregori called for progress on the planned EU reform on asylum and migration. She welcomes a declaration at EU level that structural solutions must be found before the 2024 European elections. “Progress on these points will be important.” (sda/dpa)