Opinions on cases where the JMD 42799/2021 designating Türkiye as a safe third country applies, as it falls outside their competence.550 Instead, EUAA caseworkers, following the interview, can send to Asylum Service caseworkers an annex with notes and comments on crucial issues to be taken into consideration.551 The EUAA has not publicly released specific statistics detailing the number of admissibility interviews conducted by its personnel in Greece for the year 2024. While the EUAA is involved in supporting the Greek Asylum Service, including providing training and operational support, detailed data on the number of interviews conducted by EUAA staff is not readily available. In Kos RAO, most admissibility cases are handled by asylum officers, rather than EUAA staff. Typically, interviews last about 10 to 15 minutes, with primary focus being placed exclusively on the presence of a link to Türkiye. Safety or other criteria are not examined and/or taken into consideration for the decision (i.e., well-founded fear of deportation to country of origin, racist attacks, detention, lack of legal documentation, non-access to healthcare, labour market and education, etc.). 552 In Lesvos RAO, an informal practice has been established, whereby admissibility interviews have been mainly conducted by RAO caseworkers with a marked distinction according to the country of origin. The applications of Syrian applicants (admissibility interviews until the fall of the Assad regime, following which merged interviews have been conducted) and the applications of Afghan applicants have been mostly examined by RAO caseworkers, while the applications of Somali applicants have been examined by EUAA caseworkers. The majority of admissibility interviews last between 40-50 minutes, focusing on the points mentioned above, but can last longer if the applicant had also resided in another third state for a long period of time. In August 2024, Kos RAO found inadmissible the asylum application of a Syrian single woman, considering that “the applicant's connection to the third country, as defined in paragraph 1(f) of Article 91 of Law 4939/2022, can be deemed sufficient”. This assessment was “based on the applicant's transit through Türkiye, coupled with other relevant circumstances pertaining to her situation (For example, among other factors, the applicant’s three-year stay in Turkey, the proximity of Turkey to her country of origin, her ability to live and work there with valid residence and work permits issued by the Turkish authorities, and the fact that her mother and siblings continue to reside legally in Turkey)” which were deemed to “constitute grounds on which it can be considered reasonable for her to return there”. As further noted, “it has been established that the creation of strong personal ties or a factual situation worthy of protection is not required to meet this criterion. Consequently, the application must be rejected as inadmissible, as the conditions set forth by the legislation for Turkey to be designated a "safe third country" for this specific applicant, pursuant to Article 91 of Law 4939/2022, are cumulatively met”. It is worth noting that other members of her extended family received a positive decision, having resided in Türkiye for the same duration. Her appeal to the Appeals Authority is currently pending. 553 In 2024, in Samos, Kos, Lesvos and Chios, admissibility interviews were conducted before an adequate vulnerability assessment had been completed. 554 Furthermore, in general, no reasonable time was provided before the admissibility interview for applicants to access information on asylum procedures, legal aid, prepare for the interview and collect and submit significant documents/evidence in support of their application.555 Even if indications of vulnerability arose during an asylum interview, caseworkers did not refer applicants to psychosocial assessments and/or further medical examination at a general hospital, although this is provided for under Article 77 and 41 of Asylum Code.556 In Chios, the CCAC’s Medical Unit has had no doctors since March 2021. Throughout 2024, there were only 6 nurses, 3 social workers and 2 psychologists. The nurses prepared the necessary medical documentation and sent them to a doctor who signed the medical records. Psychosocial assessments could not be conducted due to the significant shortage in interpreters, who as a result had to focus only on absolutely essential issues (e.g., interpretation for custody of minors). 557 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 Information provided by the EUAA, 28 February 2023. In response to an information request submitted by ECRE for the year 2023, the EUAA answered on 26 February 2024 that “[t]he number of concluding remarks issued by EUAA decreased to 776 in 2023, a significant drop compared to 2022 (5,071). This is due to the fact that, following the June 2021 Joint Ministerial Decision designating Turkey 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”. Information provided during the meetings of the Legal Aid Working Group (LWG) of Kos island carried throughout the year 2024. The Greek Council of Refugees is representing the case on second instance, before the Appeals Authorities. Information obtained during Legal Aid Working Group meetings, 2024. Ibid. Ibid. Refugee Support Aegean, What is happening today in the refugee structures on the Aegean Islands - Serious Problems in the EU - funded structures - CHIOS, May 2023, available in Greek here. 107