'%20id='ico-down'%20stroke='%23000000'%20stroke-width='1.5'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(1092.250000,%20254.750000)'%3e%3cpolyline%20id='Path-2-Copy-4'%20transform='translate(5.500000,%202.750000)%20scale(1,%20-1)%20rotate(-180.000000)%20translate(-5.500000,%20-2.750000)%20'%20points='0%200%205.5%205.5%2011%200'%3e%3c/polyline%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
For older applications, the average length of time it takes to reach a decision is much longer at 250 days. However, this is still a big improvement on the situation a year ago.
The number of applications pending has also fallen during the course of year. Secretary of State De Block told the VRT that: “In January they were still 14,700 applications pending, this has already fallen to 10,000 now.
It’s our intention to have completely worked through the backlog by mid-2014. It’s a two-pronged approach and new applications are dealt with very quickly.”
The speedier treatment times for asylum application have come about as a result of improved cooperation between the Aliens Office, the General-Commission for Refugees and the Stateless and the Council for Disputes by Aliens.
[Flandersnews.be / Expatica]