Publication date: 01 July 2021
This paper provides an overview of EU initiatives on developing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve border control and border security.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: artificial intelligence, border control, security
Publication date: 06 April 2017
The Africa-Frontex Intelligence Community (AFIC) Joint Report 2016 analyses the irregular migratory movements affecting AFIC countries and EU Member States, cross-border criminality and provides an overview of the main regional security threats affecting the countries in the community. The report also presents a picture of the smuggling networks in Africa.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Smuggling & Trafficking
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: human smuggling, border control, border security, cross-border crime
Publication date: 11 March 2013
Frontex Programme of Work 2013 outlines Frontex's areas of possible activities for the year in question, focusing inter alia on the further development of the EUROSUR system, the operational support to Greece, implementation measures and new structures.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, EUROSUR, external border
Publication date: 20 May 2011
The Annual Risk Analysis Report of EU Agency FRONTEX, in charge for the coordination of the operational cooperation between Member States in the field of border security
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Main theme: Migration, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: border control, risk analysis
Publication date: 21 April 2011
How to cope with one of the most difficult public policy issue at the moment in Europe, dealing with irregular migration? On 20 April 2011, the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) published a new report on irregular migration in the UK
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Publication date:
On 12 October 2025, Belgium began implementing the European Entry-Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals travelling to Europe for short stays. Brussels Airport and Brussels-Midi station (for Eurostar passengers) have planned the necessary infrastructure and procedures to support border registration. EU and Schengen-area travellers are not affected. Full implementation across Europe is scheduled for 10 April 2026.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, Brussels Airport, border control, non-EU national, Eurostar passenger
Publication date:
In the first half of 2025, West Flanders saw 72 transit migrants intercepted, a significant decrease compared with previous years. Most were from Ethiopia, while earlier periods involved people from Sudan, Iraq and Vietnam. Authorities cite preventive policing and cross-border controls as key factors.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: transit migrant, transmigrant, interception, border control
Publication date:
On 24 June 2025, EMN Belgium participated in the Polish Presidency Conference on countering irregular migration. The discussions examined this phenomenon from three perspectives: strengthening the EU’s external borders to prevent irregular entries, combating migrant smuggling to dismantle criminal networks, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and providing safe and legal alternatives.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: external border, border control, migrant smuggling, criminal network, root causes, legal pathway
Publication date:
On 4 December 2024, the European Commission released a proposal for a Regulation enabling a progressive start of operations for Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES). According to the proposal, the Member States will start registering at least ten per cent of border crossings, and by the end of the given six-month period, they will need to reach the full registration of all people.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, start of operations, external border, border control
Publication date:
France notified that controls would take place at its borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, the Swiss Confederation, Italy, and Spain (land, air, and sea) from 1 November 2024 until 30 April 2024. Similar checks were already underway between 1 May 2024 and 31 October 2024 due to the Olympic and Paralympic Games organised in France during the summer 2024.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, internal border control, border control, border check
Publication date:
On 21 October 2024, the European Ombudsman closed her inquiry on respect for human rights in the context of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). She concluded, inter alia, that the Commission should set out the criteria on which the suspension of contracts due to violations of human rights in the implementation of EU-funded projects in Tunisia would be based. These criteria should be made public.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: memorandum of understanding, Tunisia, human rights, border management, border control
Publication date:
During the European Council on 17 October 2024, EU leaders adopted conclusions, among other things, on migration. They called, inter alia, for determined action to facilitate, increase, and speed up returns from the EU. They invited the European Commission to submit a new legislative proposal, as a matter of urgency.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: return directive, external action, external border, border control, migration instrumentalization
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Checks are being temporarily reintroduced at Germany's borders with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark. They will run from 16 September 2024 until 15 March 2025 to, among other things, reduce irregular migration and combat people smuggling.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border check, Schengen, internal border control
Publication date:
During the last Justice and Home Affairs Council under the Belgian Presidency, Ministers agreed to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainians for one year. This will run until March 2026.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: temporary protection, Ukraine, visa policy, Schengen, border control, interoperability
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On 2 May 2024, the Chamber of Representatives adopted in plenary session the draft law relating to the competencies of the members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the national territory. The law inter alia defines how Frontex members will support the Federal Police in the field of border controls and forced return of foreigners.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex, border control, forced return, escort
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On a proposal from Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, the Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft law defining the powers that members of the European Border and Coast Guard would have on national territory during official missions.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex, border control, forced return, escort
Publication date:
The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional deal on amending the Schengen Borders Code. The update in particular clears up rules related to the reintroduction of border controls and offers solutions to situations where migrants are instrumentalised.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, Schengen borders code, migration instrumentalization, border control
Publication date:
Today, the Commission adopted a Communication that presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expediting returns.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European integrated border management, return decision, border control, fundamental rights
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The 2nd European Border Managament Conference was held in Athens on 23 and 24 February 2023. Participating Member States inter alia underlined the importance of effective control of EU's external borders and required legal, financial, operational and technical measures as well as a whole-of-the-route approach to ensure this.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border management
Publication date:
The European Commission is today recommending that Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway phase out the temporary controls currently in place at some of their internal Schengen borders over the next six months.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, border control
Publication date:
Today is the opening of a photo exhibition focusing on Melilla, Europe's Southern border. This exhibition is the outcome of a one year and a half project initiated by four youths graduated in journalism.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: photo, Melilla, border control
Publication date:
The Commission has today proposed a Recommendation, to be decided upon by the Council, to prolong proportionate controls at certain internal Schengen borders for a maximum period of six months.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration
Keywords: border control, Greek Action Plan, Schengen borders code
Publication date:
This 3-day conference, as well as the exhibition, focus on the technologization of border controls, whether relating to persons, goods or capital.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, technologies
Publication date:
During this workshop, day-to-day making and unmaking of borders will be investigated from the perspective of history, policy making, surveillance and control, contestation and human agency.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border surveillance, immigration detention
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The International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) organizes a two-day symposium on key policy issues of the common European border security