To be, or not to be - Harmonised : Country of Origin Information Agencies as Part of the European Union's Quest for a Common European Asylum Policy

Abstract

This thesis studies Country of Origin Information (COI), the background information consulted during the processing of asylum applications. COI is currently undergoing a process of harmonisation as part of the broader goal of achieving a Common European Asylum System in the EU/Schengen area. The thesis compares the Norwegian and Danish COI agencies and finds differences between their products that question whether the goals of the harmonisation process will be met by 2010. The thesis finds that the two COI agencies are likely to slowly and partially cooperate in the harmonisation process in future because they see it as a potential, yet limited problem-solver, and are sceptical towards its abilities to promote human rights to asylum and its role as a provider of a common European community. Finally, the Norwegian COI agency could have more to win from cooperating, and may therefore become more active in the harmonisation process than the Danish office.