The general policy note of Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Civic Integration and Poverty Reduction, Maggie De Block, gives an overview of the achievements of 2013, projects and action to be implemented and the course asylum, migration and reception policy will steer during 2014.

Concerning asylum, main focus will go to further eliminating the backlog, the implementation of the recast EU asylum acquis, institutionalising structural resettlement programmes and continuation of existing and new dissuasion campaigns.

In the framework of migration special attention will go to:

• implementation of EU directives and regulations (combined permit, long-term residents, biometric residence permits);
• fight against relations of convenience;
• eliminating the backlog of regularisation application files;
•  fight against trafficking in human beings;
• an enhanced protection and reception of unaccompanied (European) minors;
• continued stimulation of voluntary return and forced return of aliens who are considered a threat to public order (including delinquents).

Reception policy will specifically work on:

• structural measures to enhance monitoring in- and outflow of migrants;
• continued reduction of the reception capacity until 18.000 places, with an additional buffer of 10% (1.800 places);
• computerizing reception management, through the Agrato-project;
• enhancing infrastructure;
• qualitative assistance of unaccompanied minors and provision of an adapted reception offer;
• increasing self-reliance and well-being of asylum seekers, to reduce the need for medical care;
• further optimalisation of the return trajectory, including trainings for collaborators and the development of a network of local return assistants.
• the fast and smooth integration of persons who outflow the reception network with a residence permit, through elaboration of a Executive Decree with transitional measures and an outflow trajectory.

The integral policy notes (part Asylum and Migration; part Reception) can be consulted in the attached files (only in Dutch and French).