The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has shown through its most recent analysis that during the first half of 2022, the EU+ countries received around 406,000 asylum applications, surpassing the figures registered in the same period in 2021.
According to EUAA, the number of asylum applications received in the first six months of 2022 was up by 68 per cent compared to the same period in 2021, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Data show that in June only, around 73,100 asylum applications were lodged in the EU+, representing the second highest monthly level since the refugee crisis of 2015-2016. In June, the asylum applications in the EU+ were lodged mostly by Afghans (9,100), Syrians (8,900), Venezuelans (4,800), Colombians (3,900), Pakistanis (3,700) and Turkish nationals (3,600).
Additionally, during the same months, nationals of Ukraine lodged around 1,200 asylum applications, which is a separate status from temporary protection.
Regarding the recognition rate, EUAA explains that it was close o its highest point since 2017. The EU+ recognition rate in June stood at 44 per cent, which means that it remained close to the highest number seen in May (45 per cent).
It has been revealed that positive decisions were roughly evenly split between refugee status and subsidiary protection. Syrians, as well as Ukrainians, continued to see high recognition rates in June. Both nationalities had a recognition rate of 96 per cent, with most positive decisions issued to nationals of Syria and nearly all issued to Ukrainians, being granted subsidiary protection
In addition to the above-mentioned, EUAA pointed out that more than four million Ukrainians received protection in Europe until mid-2022.
“The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine not only averted extreme pressure on the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), it also enabled them to find safety without having to undergo an asylum procedure. Between 24 February and 4 September, more than 4.2 million people, mostly Ukrainian nationals, had registered for temporary protection in the EU+,” the statement of EUAA reads.
Previously, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the EU marked the highest number of illegal migrants at its external border since 2016. The European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) said that in the first eight months of 2022, almost 188,200 irregular entries were registered at the bloc’s external borders.
Moreover, the same noted that in August alone, around 32,800 illegal border crossings were recorded, marking an increase of 35 per cent compared to the same period in 2021.
SOURCE: Schengen Visa Info
