Communication on the EU Return's Policy presents progress made and future developments in this field
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
UNHCR report shows rise in asylum claims in 44 industrialized countries over the course of last year
UNHCR "Asylum Trends 2013" says that 612.700 people applied for asylum in North America, Europe, East Asia and the Pacific last year, the highest total for any year since 2001. The report shows how this is primarily driven by the crisis in Syria.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: asylum trend
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
Tunisia and the EU today formally established a Mobility Partnership. Together with nine other EU Member States, Belgium is involved in the Partnership and signed the joint Declaration.
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Main Theme: External Dimension
Keywords: mobility partnership
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
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
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
Today, on 14 February 2014, the first meeting took place of the Return and Reintegration Experts' Group (REG) under auspices of the European Migration Network. REG incorporates the former work of the Voluntary Return European Network.
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Main Theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: voluntary return, VREG
Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum decisions, asylum applications
The Greek Presidency presented its priorities which, in the area of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, include the implementation of the Smart Borders package; addressing the situation of migrants and asylum seekers in the European Union; and the rise of far right movements across Europe.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Greek Council Presidency, priorities
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
The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) published a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions for the year 2013.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions
Today marks the lifting of the last restrictions on the free movement of workers from Bulgaria and Romania. From today, Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are able to fully exercise their right to work in all EU countries without a work permit.
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Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: free movement, Bulgarian, Romanian
Based on the EMN Work Programme 2014, approved by the Steering Board in November 2013 and in the process of being formally approved by the Commission, the EMN will work this year on new deliverables.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: work programme
Today, 20 December 2013, the Circular of 13 December 2013 implementing family reunification provisions, as interpreted by the Constitutional Court on 26 September 2013, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
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Main Theme: Family reunification
Keywords: case law, Constitutional Court
In its ruling n° 166/2013 taken today 19 December 2013, the Constitutional Court rejected the appeal introduced with regard to the detention of families with children.
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Main Theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: alternatives to detention, child detention, detention
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
On 3 December, the policy note of the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Maggie De Block, for 2014 was approved in the Chamber Commission of Home Affairs. It reviews the 2013 achievements and presents policies on asylum, migration and reception for 2014.
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Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: migration policy
Ending its 3279th meeting of 5 and 6 December, the JHA Council presents its conclusions. Topics discussed include the free movement of EU citizens, the Task Force Mediterranean, full application of the Schengen acquis by Bulgaria and Romania and the European citizenship report 2013.
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Main Theme: Migration, Citizenship & Nationality, Borders & Visa
Keywords: Bulgaria, freedom of movement, Lampedusa, Romania
On 5 December, the Council of the EU adopted unanimously a regulation, introducing a suspension and reciprocity mechanism in the Council Regulation, listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas to enter the EU.
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Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: EU Council, visa requirements
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
Today 2 December 2013, the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) becomes operational. EUROSUR should allow Member States to react much faster to any incidents concerning irregular migration and cross-border crime or relating to a risk to the lives of migrants.
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Main Theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: EUROSUR, border surveillance
On 26 November 2013 the first edition of the Flemish Migration and Integration Monitor has been presented. The report joins and interprets administrative and statistical data on migratory and integration processes in Flanders.
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Main Theme: Data & Statistics
Keywords: integration monitor
The Court refined its case-law on the application of the Dublin Regulation, judging on the responsability of a Member State to examine an asylum application, in case of impossible transfer of the applicant.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: Dublin Regulation
Today Deloitte announces the results of its 2013-2014 comparative immigration study. It shows that Belgium is one of the most attractive countries for highly skilled foreigners thanks to speed, cost and conditions.