In 2022, 881 200 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, up by 64% compared with 2021 (537 400).

During this morning national event, EMN Belgium presented key developments on migration and asylum in 2022 and invited numerous key experts to explain important issues and perspectives for 2023.

According to the statistics released today by the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, the backlog amounted to 18.390 cases concerning 21.618 persons at the end of February 2023.

Fedasil funds specific projects every year. In 2023, 16 projects receive national funding, of which 4 projects concern the activation of asylum seekers through employment, and 8 projects benefit from European funding (AMIF).

The Agency invites non-profit organizations, NGOs, cities and municipalities to subscribe to a flexible cooperation agreement with a view to establishing unique partnerships.

The learning tool “Destination Europe” is now offered to Dutch-speaking secondary school teachers who want to introduce their students to decision-making on migration and integration.

Today, the Commission adopted a Communication that presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expediting returns.

The meeting put institutional stakeholders and the private sector around the table, to exchange experiences and knowledge regarding the future EU Talent Pool and other databases.

From 16 January until 13 March 2023, the Commission would like to hear your views on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and EU added value of the European Migration Network focusing on the period 2018-2021. The results of the evaluation are expected to be used by the EMN, its Steering Board, the Commission and EU Member States.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 9 and 10 March 2023. Ministers inter alia discussed the internal and external aspects of migration and the overall state of the Schengen area.

In the first two months of 2023, the number of irregular border crossings reported by national authorities increased to 28 130, roughly in line with the same period last year. The Central Mediterranean and Western Balkan routes remain the most active.

The first package of reforms contains several measures. Nicole De Moor said in a statement that, according to the texts to be discussed in Parliament, reception places will be allocated to those in an ongoing asylum procedure, cooperation on return will be enshrined in law and abuses in family reunification will be combated. Finally, a solution will be offered to vulnerable persons in specific situations such as statelessness.

This Communication takes stock of the Directive's implementation over the last year, draws the lessons learned and identifies priority areas where continued efforts are needed.

Today the upgraded Schengen Information System (SIS) enters into operation to enhance security and border management in Europe. The renewed SIS is being enhanced to include new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingermarks, and DNA records for missing persons, and additional tools to combat crime and terrorism.

On Tuesday 7 March, the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN discussed current information needs with the Cabinet of Nicole de Moor to make EMN resources available to policymakers.

On Friday 3 March, the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium was invited by the Commission of Foreign Affairs of the Benelux Parliament to talk about joint migration issues in the Benelux. 

In the House of Representatives today, Nicole de Moor responded to numerous questions regarding possible fraudulent cases of applications for single permits. All involved actors, including the Flemish Region, the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Office, are now part of a working group to foster information exchange and avoid future abuses.

The European Migration Network (EMN) Glossary is an essential resource, which offers an EU-wide multidisciplinary vocabulary of approximately 500 terms and concepts related to asylum and migration. Let's focus today on the term "displaced person" to make sure we have a common understanding and use of the term!