Press Release: Entry into force of key asylum law creating a “level playing field” in asylum policies throughout Europe hampered by failure of timely transposition by most Member States

On 10 October 2006, the deadline for the implementation of the Qualification Directive, which determines the criteria for the recognition of persons in need of international protection and the content of the protection status granted to them by Member States, expired. By 9 October, only 6 Member States had notified measures taken for its transposition. Vice President Frattini called this delay in the implementation of the Directive by the majority of the Member States "particularly regrettable, given that this Directive is a cornerstone of the first phase of the Common European Asylum system”.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/06/368 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/368&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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