Decisions regarding the examination of asylum applications by Syrian refugees fall within the competence of the member states, the representative of the Commission, responsible for migration issues, Stefan de Kerschmacher, said on Tuesday.
"Decisions on the examination of asylum applications fall within the competence of the Member States. It is important that Member States when taking such decisions comply with EU rules and always bear in mind that asylum applications must be assessed individually on an individual basis," the Commission representative stressed.
He added that member states have the right to suspend the examination of asylum applications, in case there are changes in the country of origin of asylum seekers. He noted, however, that the situation in Syria is fluid and developments are rapid, so it is important to monitor the situation on the ground.
He also noted that returns to Syria can be made on a voluntary basis and as long as the conditions for "safe, voluntary and dignified returns" are met, according to UNHCR.
However, in the absence of a common European list of "safe third countries", each member state assesses for itself whether a third country is safe or not, noted Stefan de Kerschmacher.
He added, finally, that the Commission remains in contact with the member states and monitors the situation.
Several EU countries, including Greece, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark and Austria, have announced they are suspending asylum applications from people from Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The French Government has announced that it is working on a similar solution. Austria, for its part, is going one step further by preparing "a program of deportation".
