The Members of the European Parliament approved the operating rules of Eurosur, a communication network that enables Member States to share real-time images and data on development at the EU's external borders.

The Commission has made its new proposal to replace the measure which the Court of Justice annulled in September.

SIS II, which is seen as a vital seucirty factor in the EU, will be in operation on 9 April 2013, becoming one of the world's largest IT systems in the field.

Today, the Commission proposed a "smart border package" to reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.

In a strategic Communication adopted today, the Commission examines how the implementation and development of the common visa policy could help growth in the EU by facilitating travel opportunities for third country nationals willing to visit the EU.

On 30 June 2012 the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taking over the Danish Presidency, presented its 6 months programme. Asylum, Migration and Borders is one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency's Operational Programme.

Based on judgement in case C-83/12 Minh Koa Vo, a Member State may impose criminal penalties for aiding illegal immigration when the persons who have entered the Union territory, national of non member countries, hold visas fraudulently obtained but not yet annulled.

The Ministers responsible for asylum and migration of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom met in Brussels on 7 March 2012 to discuss measures in the field of combating illegal immigration

The Frontex Risk Analysis Network (FRAN) released its newest quarterly report, covering January - March 2011

EU leaders on 24 June agreed to establish a "safeguard mechanism" allowing the re-introduction of internal borders in exceptional circumstances

On 9 and 10 June 2011, the Justice and Home Affairs of the Council of the European Union took place in Luxembourg. On the agenda of the home affairs ministers stood, amongst others, amendments on FRONTEX-rules and the Schengen evaluation of Bulgaria and Romania.

On May 24, 2011, the European Commission presented its proposals for a better managment of migration flows from the Southern Mediterranean region and for amendements to the Visa Regulation

On 19 May 2011, the 14th EU-Russia meeting on justice and home affairs took place in Russia

VALENTINA POP - EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - France on Sunday blocked the passage of Italian trains in order to prevent Tunisian migrants from entering its territory, a move promptly slammed by Rome. EU council chief Herman Van Rompuy meanwhile appealed for Paris not to "exaggerate" the migration issue

Commissioner Malmström presents Action Plan on visa liberalisation with the Republic of Moldova