Immigration and asylum have been a mounting pre-occupation in the EU for decades. The issues are often exploited by populist and right-wing parties, while national governments attempt to curb benefit fraud whilst at the same time, trying to avoid accusations of building a "fortress Europe".

Within the EU Member States, asylum systems are characterised by very different levels of development. Frantic legislative negotiations are underway to try and establish a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) before the end of 2012, which aims to provide a fair and effective tool to relieve the strain in the countries most affected by immigration and asylum seekers.

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the new European legislative package on Asylum, the European Journalism Centre (EJC) - in co-operation with the European Commission - is tailoring a one-day briefing for media professionals covering, or interested in learning more about, this topic.

During the one-day event, journalists will have the opportunity to meet with EU insiders and external experts who will provide them with the details of the CEAS instrument; explain the new set of measures to assist Member States in achieving a common area of international protection; and overall define what the CEAS means in concrete terms for European Asylum policy.

An exclusive meeting with Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will conclude the event.

Journalists from EU-27 Member States, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are welcome to apply.

The organisers will cover travel, accommodation and most meals.

Please note that journalists specialised in the subject will be given priority in the selection process.

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