Students from the Institute for European Studies visited the European Union Agency for Asylum on Monday 21 March.

The visit, organised in the context of the students' studies on EST2234 (Malta-EU Relations) as well as EST2233 (Contemporary Migration Issues across the Mediterranean) was an opportunity for the students to learn about the EU's Asylum agency, based in Malta and employing nearly 500 staff.

Mr Anis Cassar, Head of Communications and Public Relations, spoke to the students about EUAA and its mission.

The Agency, previously known as EASO up until the end of 2021, is 'an agency of the European Union mandated with supporting Member States in applying the package of EU laws that governs asylum, international protection and reception conditions, known as the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The EUAA acts as a resource for Member States in the field of international protection, with the ability to provide practical, legal, technical, advisory and operational assistance in many formats. The ultimate aim of the EUAA’s work is to reach a situation where the asylum practices in all EU+ Member States are harmonised in line with EU obligations, meaning that an application of an individual in any of the EU+ Member States will always receive the same result.' (EUAA website).

The visit was led by Prof. Mark Harwood, Director of the Institute, and included a Q&A session.