The European External Action Service (EEAS) and Commission services understand the concern of the Honorable Members for the plight of interpreters who have provided loyal service to EU Member State military forces during their deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The EEAS and Commission services are not able, however, to provide figures on the number of interpreters employed, currently or in the past, in the service of Member State military forces, since the employment of interpreters in national military services is the sole responsibility of Member States.

Likewise, the EEAS and Commission services hold no data on the requests for visas and asylum that these interpreters may have lodged, nor on Member States' responses to these requests. This data is held exclusively by the Member States concerned, and both the process for issuing visa and assessing claims for asylum fall within the scope of Member State's national competences. A decision to grant international protection can only be taken by the national authorities of Member States, in full respect of international law, fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement.