Today, Wednesday 12 June, the European Parliament voted the final adoption of the asylum package. The new rules lay down common procedures for handling asylum applications and basic rights for asylum seekers.

The European Asylum Support Office’s newsletter for May was launched.

This conference aimed at exploring the latest evidence and policy perspectives on the identification and investigation of human trafficking offenses.

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.

Today the Royal Decree, signed by Ms Maggie de Block and Ms Annemie Turtelboom on 18 April 2013, recognizing Pakoke, Pag-Asa and Sürya as specialized centres for the reception of victims of trafficking in human beings, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

The European Commission has released a new Communication entitled “Maximising the Development Impact of Migration” recommending ways in which migration and mobility can contribute to inclusive and economic social development and how to strengthen global cooperation in this area.

The Royal Decree from 7 May 2013 establishing the list of safe countries of origin was published today in the Belgian Official Gazette. The government lists the same countries as for the previous year.

This study was conducted within the framework of the National Action Plan against violence between partners and other forms of domestic violence.

This Conference looked into the strengths and weaknesses of reception system for asylum seekers in terms of quality, efficiency and flexibility. Speakers from Belgium, France and the UK provided a comparative perspective.

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.

Today the Commission staff working document "Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration", accompanying the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, was released.

Eurostat and DG Home Affairs are publishing the first report on statistical data on trafficking in human beings at EU level, covering the reference years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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

The migration of data from SIS I to SIS II has started as the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) is today replacing the current system.

The European Rights and Migration Team (EDEM) provides access to a directory including and summarizing asylum related case law from the Aliens Litigation Council, the Council of State, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights.

In written questions and answers to the House of Representatives, dated from 2 April 2013, Maggie de Block provided information inter alia on the length of and project aimed at improving the asylum procedure in Belgium.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) starts tri-annually publishing a newsletter that provides regular updates on the progresses and achievements in the context of migration and environment.

The State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy and for Social Integration informed on changes and ongoing pilot projects concerning the control and reimbursement of urgent medical assistance related costs.

Coreper reached an agreement today on the final two legislative texts forming part of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).

Today the Commission proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.

Eurostat disseminates statistics on asylum applicants and first instance decisions in 2012, highlighting that there were 332.000 asylum applicants in 2012 in comparison with 302.000 in 2011.

The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) judgement dated from 23 October 2012, highlighting some deficiencies in foreign children's rights in Belgium, was published today.

The EMN Work Programme for 2013 builds on and consolidates the approach of last year, improving the network capacity for
producing information in more flexible and timely ways to meet the needs of policymakers.

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.

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.