On 11 November 2014, the European Commission has released its 6th bi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area covering the period from 1 May to 31 October 2014.

On 20 October 2014, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has opened an investigation into how Frontex ensures the respect of fundamental rights of migrants who are subject to forced returns from the EU to their countries of origin.

On 12 and 13 June 2014, the European Migration Network Conference 2014 took place on "Irregular migration and return: challenges and practices". The Conference was organised in Athens, within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the EU Council.

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.

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.