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.

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.

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.

Helga de Valk, Professor aan de Vrije Universiteit Brussel, is willing to show that applying the sociological life course approach to migration and integration research may advance our understanding of immigrant settlement patterns and further develop the life course 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.

The ERI Final Conference, which will take place in Brussels on 6 February, will address the experiences gained, results achieved and ideas for future cooperation in the area of return and reintegration.

In a half-day training, ADDE proposes to examine the new reform of the Dublin III Regulation and its impact on Belgian practices as regards international protection and reception.

The UVCW and El Paso invite actors working with unaccompanied foreign minors in various structures (public centres for social welfare, reception centres etc.) to participate in a multidisciplinary training aimed at providing them with adequate knowledge and skills to assist and enpower this group.

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.

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.

From 29 October 2013 until 12 January 2014, the Commission of the EU organizes a public consultation, inviting all interested ones to contribute their opinion on the New Agenda for Home Affairs.

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.

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.

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.