Challenges of approximation of Lithuanian legislation with the European Union asylum acquis.

Approximation of legislation plays a significant role in the process of accession to the European Union, along with approximation of policies and administrative practices. Asylum questions together with other fields of justice and home affairs become more and more acute and are to no lesser extent relevant for Lithuania as that for the EU. The objective of this article is to analyse the results of approximation of Lithuanian legislation with asylum acquis of the EU and determine the gaps in this process, as well as the challenges to be met. The article covers the situation for the period of 2000-2002. The focus of the analysis is the legislation of Lithuania regulating asylum matters, being assessed in the context of EU policies and legal acts on asylum. The article reviews the requirements for membership related to asylum issues, the state of affairs of approximation process and the remaining gaps to be filled with a view of meeting accession requirements. A prognosis of possible constrains in this process is also presented in the article. Similarly, as the other countries joining the European Union, Lithuania might face at least two challenges with regard to adoption and implementation of the asylum acquis. First, related to the fact that asylum acquis is constantly developing in the EU and Lithuania will have to catch up with these developments in adopting legislation and transforming it to practice. Secondly, the regulation of asylum matters in the Union represents a search of a balance between the human rights protection, including the right to seek asylum, and on the other hand – interests of the Member States to control the entry of foreigners to their territory. Lithuania will thus need to find a way of reconciling these two mutually conflicting interests.Šalia politikos ir administracinės praktikos derinimo pasirengimo narystei Europos Sąjungoje procese teisės derinimui skiriama bene daugiausia dėmesio. Prieglobsčio klausimai, kartu su kitomis teisingumo ir vidaus reikalų sritimis, aktualūs Europos Sąjungoje, taigi ir Lietuvoje. Šiame straipsnyje pateikiamo tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti Lietuvos teisės derinimo su Europos Sąjungos prieglobsčio teisynu rezultatus ir nustatyti šio proceso trūkumus bei tolesnius poreikius. Straipsnyje pateikiama analizė apima laikotarpį nuo 2000 m. iki 2002 m. pabaigos. Tyrimo objektu pasirinktos Lietuvos teisės normos, reguliuojančios prieglobsčio klausimus. Taikant lyginamąjį ir analitinį metodą šios normos vertinamos Europos Sąjungos prieglobsčio teisės ir politikos požiūriu. Straipsnyje apžvelgiami narystės reikalavimai prieglobsčio srityje, Lietuvos kompetentingų įstaigų atlikti teisės derinimo darbai ir tai, kas dar turi būti atlikta siekiant įvykdyti narystės reikalavimus. Straipsnyje taip pat pateikiama galinčių kilti problemų prognozė. Apžvelgiama tema Lietuvos mokslinėje literatūroje beveik ne-nagrinėta, išskyrus pačios autorės studijas šia tema