Eurostat publishes an edition of 'statistics in focus' on mixed-marriages. By using data from two EU surveys, the percentage of persons in mixed marriage is estimated in 30 European countries over recent years.

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.

This publication provides an analysis of recent developments in migration movements and policies in OECD countries and two analytical chapters, covering the role of migration in renewing the skills of ageing workforces and the role of Asia in international migration.

The first issue on "Global Perspectives on Migration and Development" explores fresh strategies proposed by the GFMD in its fourth year of operation in Mexico and beyond.

The Belgian Minister of Justice and the State Secretary for Immigration and Asylum have presented a new national action plan to combat trafficking in human beings and human smuggling to the Belgian Council of Ministers.

The handbook was presented and commented on by panelists from IOM, MPI, Swedish Ambassador for the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) as well as representatives from the European Commission, Board of the Diaspora Forum for Development and other stakeholders.

On the occasion of the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2012, the statistical office of the European Union releases data on the results of asylum decisions in the EU 27.

This first issue of the EMN Bulletin briefly presents EU, National and Related Developments in migration policy published in the period January to May 2012, as well as key statistics, plus related EMN outputs and developments that have occurred in this period.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner Gereral for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document containing the statistics on the asylum applications and the first instance decisions.

The annual reports of the different public services of the FPS Home Affairs provide an overview of the structure and activities of the respective organisations.

The new article 57/6/1 of the Aliens Act of 1980 has introduced the notion of safe country of origin in the Belgian law. The royal decree implementing this article came into force on the 1st of June 2012.

Belgium has committed itself towards the European Commission to resettle 100 refugees in 2013

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner Gereral for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document containing the statistics on the asylum applications and the first instance decisions.

On 2 May, Representatives of the Parliament of the French community unanimously approved the reform of the reception and education of foreign newcomer children, improving and making "bridging classes" more flexible.

The annual report of the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil) has been launced. Fedasil updates you on the voluntary return program that it runs as well as the reception situation and network in 2011.

According to Advocate General Bot, a serious infringement of the freedom of religion may constitute an ‘act of persecution’ where the asylum seeker runs a real risk of death, inhuman or degrading treatment, of being reduced to slavery or servitude, or of being prosecuted or imprisoned arbitrarily

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.

March 2012: More decissons, less applications

Philippe Fargues, director of the Migration Policy Centre (MPC), presents the different tasks, projects and activities of the new MPC, founded in January 2012, with the support of the European Union.

A draft bill modifying the Immigration Law and transposing the European Blue Card Directive is approved in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives on March 29, 2012.

On 23 March 2012 a newsrelease was issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the Europeon Union, on the number of asylum applicants and asylum decisions in the EU27 in 2011.

At the request of Maggie De Block, Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, and Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministerial Council approved list of safe countries of origin.

Belgium responded to the Green paper consultation of the European Commission on the Right to Family Reunification of Third Country Nationals (Directive 2003/86/EC).

The Council adopted a decision which establishes common EU resettlement
priorities for 2013.

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