United Nations Radio

The UN refugee agency -UNHCR - says there is a need to develop practical and reliable ways to safeguard the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees in the context of migration management and border control in the European Union.

The call comes amid France's presentation of a draft European Pact on Immigration and Asylum at a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Cannes.

The proposed pact focuses to a large extent of managing legal migration and controlling irregular migration.

UNHCR Spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis says the refugee agency is urging the European Union to take up the challenge of improving the quality of asylum decision-making across the Union.

"The strengthening of practical cooperation among member States and the creation of a European Asylum Support Office are positive proposals, and we are ready to cooperate with the EU to meet these goals."

Pagonis says a 'Europe of Asylum' cannot be built without assurances of access to the European Union for persons seeking protection.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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