In 2013 more than 430,000 people applied for asylum in the EU in 2013. The report also shows that 12% of applicants came from Syria, while many also orginiated from Russia, Afghanistan, Serbia, Pakistan and Kosovo.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Robert Visser, the executive director of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), will also present his agency's annual report on the asylum situation in the EU.
The European Parliament has been actively involved in the adopt of new immigration legislation ever since the Lisbon Treaty enterred into force.
The sinking in October 2013 of a boat off the Italian island of Lampedusa in which more than 360 migrants lost their lives marked a tragic milestone in the European debate on migration and asylum. Commenting on the tragedy EP president Martin Schulz said at the time: "Once again the sea off the coast of Lampedusa has been turned into a large cemetery. We all bear responsibility and have to find a solution together."
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