Asylum seekers flock to EU safe haven

According to a Eurostat report published on 23 March 2012, just over 300,000 asylum applicants registered in Europe in 2011, up from 259,000 in 2010.

Fewer than 10,000 asylum seekers registered in Greece, but Greece's management of its border crossing with Turkey has caused resentment in some of the larger member states.

• Primary Source

Eurostat: Press Release: STAT/12/46: The number of asylum applicants registered in the EU27 rose to 301 000 in 2011 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/12/46&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ESO: Background information: Germany, Austria warn Greece to tighten border controls http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-austria-warn-greece-to-tighten-border-controls/

Irish Times, 24.3.12: Irish asylum applications less than half EU average http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0324/1224313823694.html

New York Times, 23.3.12: Strife Drives Asylum Applications http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/world/europe/strife-drives-asylum-applications.html

---