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Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission President-elect, has designed a new Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner: Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greece's current Minister of National Defence.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs
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In the light of a recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Commission is proposing to clarify which Member State is responsible for examining applications made by unaccompanied minors.
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Main theme: International Protection, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: Dublin Regulation, unaccompanied minors
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The Commission reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the EU Blue Card Directive. It assesses the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card and examines how measures were enacted in national legislation.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU blue card
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The consultation, which runs over 12 weeks and closes on 3 July 2014, allows a wide range of stakeholders and organizations to contribute to the development of guidance on integrated child protection systems.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: child protection
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The Commission is presenting guidance for the correct and meaningful application of the Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC) across Member States while avoiding possible abuses.
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Main theme: Migration, Family reunification
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
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In a communication released today, the Commission provides guidance on how to apply Directive 2003/86/EC. Member States are invited to use their margin of appreciation in a manner that doesn't undermine the objective of the Directive.
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Main theme: Family reunification
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
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The Commission presented two proposals today to greatly facilitate the procedures for short-stay visitors. Important changes in the visa rules aim to stimulate the European economy and facilitate the lives of travellers towards the EU.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: touring visa, visa code, visa policy
Communication on the EU Return's Policy presents progress made and future developments in this field
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In a Communication adopted today, the Commission stresses that Member States have generally ensured that the Return Directive is transposed in their national law but that there is scope for improvement in the practical implementation of the Directive and of return policies in general.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: return directive
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At a press conference today in Strasbourg, Cecilia Malmström underlined the important steps taken based on the Stockholm program but said that work was not over and that efforts should be stepped up in certain areas.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: post Stockholm Programme
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Tunisia and the EU today formally established a Mobility Partnership. Belgium is one of the ten EU Member States involved in the Partnership.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: mobility partnership, Tunisia
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In a report adopted today the Commission looks at important achievements in strengthening dialogue and cooperation in EU's external migration and asylum policy, but recognizes that more should be done to make further progress.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: Global Approach on Migration and Mobility
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Following the vote in the European Parliament on 5 February 2014, today the Council formally adopted a new Directive on third-country national seasonal workers. Member states will need to transpose the directive within two and a half years after publication in the Official Journal.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU directive, legal migration, seasonal labour, seasonal workers directive
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Following the period of consultation from 29 October 2013 to 21 January 2014, the Commission has made collected opinions available with a view to contribute to the new agenda for Home Affairs.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: post Stockholm Programme, Stockholm Programme
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The tragedy in Lampedusa prompted an unprecedented call for action by EU leaders and citizens. On 4 December, the Commission proposed ways to increase solidarity and mutual support in order to prevent migrants' death in the Mediterranean.
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Main theme: International Protection, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: EUROSUR, Frontex, Lampedusa, resettlement
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On 2 December the European Border Surveillance System becomes operational. EUROSUR will make an important contribution to saving lives and will also equip the EU and its Member States with better tools to prevent cross-border crimes and to detect and provide assistance to migrant boats in distress.
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Main theme: Asylum, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: EUROSUR, Frontex
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From 29 October 2013 until 12 January 2014, the Commission of the EU organizes a public consultation, inviting all interested ones to contribute their opinion on the New Agenda for Home Affairs.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Home Affairs, Stockholm Programme
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The European Parliament and Council provisionally agreed on a draft directive that will manage temporary legal migration and ensure protection of workers from exploitation.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: seasonal employment, seasonal workers directive
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Starting from today, 18 October 2013, a new definition of "short stay" and another method of calculating the period of short stay, must be applied by all EU Member States.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen acquis
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Today, 18 October 2013, three international anti-trafficking expert mechanisms called for a global response to fight the transnational scourge of trafficking in persons.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: GRETA, human trafficking, OSCE
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The European Commission has released a new Communication entitled “Maximising the Development Impact of Migration” recommending ways in which migration and mobility can contribute to inclusive and economic social development and how to strengthen global cooperation in this area.
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On the occasion of Europe Day and Fête de l’Iris, the Directorate-General for Home Affairs of the European Commission is organising a screening of the film Sisters followed by a debate on the subject of trafficking in human beings.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
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Today the Commission staff working document "Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration", accompanying the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, was released.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: environmental refugee, climate change
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The Commission has made its new proposal to replace the measure which the Court of Justice annulled in September.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Frontex, external sea border
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Coreper reached an agreement today on the final two legislative texts forming part of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: Common European Asylum System, asylum procedure directive, Eurodac Regulation
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Today the Commission proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.