In case of female applicants, the applicant can request a case worker/interpreter of the same sex. If this is not possible, a note is added to the transcript of the interview. 364 The EUAA’s role in the regular procedure Following the amendments introduced by L 4540/2018, which were maintained in the Asylum Code, 365 the EUAA (formerly EASO) can be involved in the regular procedure. 366 EUAA personnel providing services at the Asylum Service premises are bound by the Asylum Service Rules of Procedure. 367 The main form of support provided by EUAA caseworkers includes the conduct of interviews with applicants and the drafting of opinions to the Asylum Service, which retains responsibility for issuing a decision on the asylum application. The personnel involved in the regular procedure should be Greek-speaking case workers.368 In 2024, the number of interviews carried out by EUAA caseworkers in Greece increased significantly, with interviews in the asylum cases of 11,973 applicants compared to 7,272 in 2023. Of these, 82% related to the top 10 citizenships of applicants interviewed by the EUAA, in particular Syrians (3,164), Egyptians (1,706), Afghans (1,261), Somalis (919), stateless persons (864) and Sierra Leoneans (781).369 The number of concluding remarks issued by EUAA was 972 in 2024, a slight increase from 2023 (776) but still much lower than 2022 (5,071).370 This is due to the fact that, following the June 2021 Joint Ministerial Decision designating Türkiye as a safe third country for applicants from five of the most common countries of origin in Greece, the drafting of concluding remarks by EUAA caseworkers is no longer required for a large share of cases, that is those examined on admissibility. 371 Concluding remarks by the EUAA in 2024 mostly concerned Sierra Leoneans (411), stateless persons (119) and Iranians (80).372 Relevant data on the role of the EUAA in the asylum procedure (conduct of interviews, drafting of opinions and/or concluding remarks etc.) is not published by the MoMA. Yet as per the Ministry’s response to a relevant parliamentary question in March 2025, out of a total of 44,498 first-instance interviews in 2024, 12,230 (27.48%) were conducted by EUAA staff.373 Interviews conducted through videoconferencing In GCR’s experience, interviews continued to be conducted through video conferencing in 2024, albeit less frequently, with either the interviewer or interpreter (or both) participating through digital means. This was particularly the case for applicants residing in mainland camps, who were interviewed without having to leave the camp, as well as in certain RAOs with certain interviewers being based in other RAOs. There have also been some cases where the interview was conducted remotely by phone rather than through video conferencing. At the beginning of the interview, the caseworker requests the applicant’s consent for the use of videoconferencing to carry out the interview. The applicant consent is given orally and is recorded in the audio recording of the interview and in the written transcript. However, in GCR’s experience, applicants are not informed about possible consequences in case of refusal to use digital tools, such as rescheduling the interview at a later date. Other issues arising from the use of digital tools include technical issues, such as poor internet connection and inadequate sound quality. Even under ideal conditions, video conferencing may negatively affect the quality of the interpretation and possibly the interview due to the loss of non-verbal communication cues. 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 Article 82(5) Asylum Code. Article 69(16) Asylum Code. Article 69(16) Asylum Code. Article 1(2) Asylum Service Director Decision No 3385 of 14 February 2018. Article 69(16) Asylum Code. Information provided by the EUAA, 14 March 2025. Information provided by the EUAA, 14 March 2025. Information provided by the EUAA, 14 March 2025 Information provided by the EUAA, 14 March 2025 As per information disclosed by the Minister of Migration and Asylum in reply to parliamentary question no. 3383/838/13.02.2025 on 7 March 2025. The reply is available in Greek at: https://tinyurl.com/2xwpkare. 77