New figures published today by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) show a significant decrease in the number of asylum applications made in the EU in 2017. In total, 706,913 asylum applications were recorded in EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland in 2017, a 43% decrease compared to 2016. It marks the second consecutive year with fewer asylum applications following the unprecedented number of arrivals during the refugee crisis. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “The significant drop in asylum applications in 2017 is a reflection of the overall reduction in the number of arrivals to the EU. The collective efforts undertaken by the European Union over the past years to better manage migration and protect our borders are showing results. The EU will continue to be the continent of solidarity, of openness and tolerance – but we need to do this in a more manageable way, together. Today’s figures show that we are on the right path.” EASO is also today launching an interactive portal containing information and data relating to asylum trends in the EU.More information can be found in the press release issued today.