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On 26 November 2024, the European Commission launched a new programme to support a Talent Partnership between the EU and Pakistan. The programme, that is funded with EUR 3 million from the EU, will enable the EU, its Member States, and Pakistan to develop a coherent set of actions on labour mobility and skills development.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: talent partnership, talent mobility, labour market need, skill need
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18 November marks the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Children are the most vulnerable group in society and children who are migrating, especially if unaccompanied, face an increased risk of being subjected to violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation
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The High-Level Committee on Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission held its first meeting on 7 November 2024. It will help the Commission define the EU’s two-year Plan that will determine the number of refugees to be admitted to the EU, and the countries and regions from which resettlements and humanitarian admissions should take place.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: resettlement, humanitarian admission, Union Framework Regulation, New Pact on Migration and Asylum
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In a letter to the 27 EU Member States, Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Commission will present a new proposal for legislation to ensure solid rules for the removal of irregularly staying third-country nationals, including those posing a threat to public order or internal security. She also referred to possible "return hubs" outside the EU, drawing lessons from the start of operations of the Italy-Albania protocol.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: efficient return, return hub, mutual recognition of return decisions, security
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EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced that the Entry-Exit System (EES) which aims to modernise EU border management and which was supposed to start on 10 November 2024, has been postponed with no new date set. Ms Johansson suggested that the EU may roll out the EES gradually.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, border management, biometric check
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During the plenary debate on the reintroduction of internal border controls in the Schengen area and its impact on EU free movement, Commissioner Ylva Johansson underlined that internal border controls must be temporary, proportionate and a measure of last resort. She underlined that alternative measures should always be prioritised.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: free movement, internal border control
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The consultation for the ex post evaluation for 2014-2020 ISF Police aims to strengthen the evidence base of the evaluation by gathering the views of all relevant stakeholders. You can contribute to this consultation by filling in an online questionnaire before 21 November 2024.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: internal security fund, evaluation
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The public consultation for the Internal Security Fund - Borders and Visa (ISF BV) ex-post evaluation for 2014-2020 aims to strengthen the evidence base of the evaluation by gathering the views of all relevant stakeholders for the ISF BV programme. You can contribute to this consultation by filling in an online questionnaire before 21 November 2024.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: ISF, evaluation
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The public consultation for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) ex post evaluation for 2014-2020 aims to strengthen the evidence base of the evaluation by gathering the views of all relevant stakeholders for the AMIF programmes. You can contribute to this consultation by filling in an online questionnaire before 22 November 2024.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: AMIF, evaluation
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On 17 September 2023, the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled the names of Commissioners-designate for 2024-2029. The current Austrian Finance Minister, Magnus Brunner will be in charge of Internal Affairs and Migration, if he successfully passes the test of European Parliament hearings.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs
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As of 1 August 2024, the European Commission will support nine Member States, including Belgium, in preparing their National Implementation Plans for the Pact on Migration and Asylum. These countries will receive targeted support to carry out situational analysis and identify the necessary actions to implement the Pact in line with the Common Implementation Plan.
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Before 8 October 2024, public bodies or a public or non-public implementing agency or body of a Member State can apply for funding and submit their proposal to support the implementation of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling and its call to action to strengthen international cooperation on preventing and responding to migrant smuggling.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: call for proposals, migrant smuggling, global alliance to counter migrant smuggling
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Civil society organisations are invited to apply before 12 September 2024 to contribute to the 9th European Migration Forum (EMF) under the theme "Enhancing the role of civil society in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum".
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Migration Forum, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, civil society
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In the 2024 Rule of Law Report, especially in the country chapter on the rule of law situation in Belgium, the European Commission recommends that Belgium takes measures to ensure compliance by public authorities with final rulings of national courts and the European Court of Human Rights, referring in particular to judgments finding the State responsible for not ensuring adequate reception of asylum seekers.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: rule of law, reception, applicant for international protection
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With 401 votes in favour, 284 against, and 22 cast blank or invalid votes, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission on 18 July. She presented her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029, referring inter alia to security, external borders, and migration management.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Commission, President, Europol, Frontex, European Border and Coast Guard, New Pact on Migration and Asylum
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On 14 July 2024, the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive enters into force with stronger rules to fight trafficking in human beings. The revised Directive introduces stricter criminalisation and provides stronger tools for public authorities to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation, including those that take place online, and ensure better assistance and support to victims.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Anti-Trafficking Directive
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On 11 June 2024, the European Commission proposed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine for another year, from 5 March 2025 to 4 March 2026. The Council still needs to formally adopt the proposal.
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Main theme: Temporary protection
Keywords: temporary protection, Ukraine
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On 12 June 2024, the European Commission adopted the Common Implementation Plan which sets out the key milestones for all Member States to put in place the legal and operational capabilities required to successfully start applying the New Pact on Migration and Asylum by mid-2026. It provides a template for the National Implementation Plans to be adopted by Member States by the end of this year.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, common implementation plan
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Before 20 September 2024, Member States can apply for funding for projects focused on combating organised crime under the Internal Security Fund and for projects to reinforce border checks or border surveillance under the Border Management and Visa Instrument. EUR 17 million are intended for this purpose.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: EU funding, internal security fund, Border Management and Visa Instrument, call for expression of interest
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Before 21 August 2024, public institutions, private non-profit and international organisations may submit an application to receive funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for a project strengthening the identification, assistance, support, and integration of third-country national victims of trafficking in human beings.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: AMIF, call for proposals, human trafficking
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On 23 May 2024, the Commission and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society discussed the implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. NGOs asked the Commission to encourage EU countries to work with civil society. They also shared concerns on the border procedure and respect of fundamental rights, and underlined the need for resources.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation, non-governmental organisation, civil society, fundamental rights
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Fifteen European countries plead with the European Commission to go beyond the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. They push for comprehensive, mutually beneficial and durable partnerships with third countries located along the migratory routes. They also want to inter alia explore solutions aimed at rescuing migrants on the high seas and bringing them to a predetermined place of safety in a partner country outside the EU.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, externalisation, partnership, return hub, safe third country
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On 2 May 2024, President von der Leyen was with Cypriot President Christodoulides in Beirut to announce a financial package of EUR 1 billion for Lebanon to contribute to the country's socio-economic stability and to migration management. The deal has already received criticism from various quarters.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: partnership, irregular migration, financial package, migration management
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On 16 April 2024, the Commission published its 2024 State of Schengen report. The report elaborates on major legislative and policy developments in the area of Schengen from the past year, including the Pact on Migration and Asylum. It also reflects on challenges and sheds light on future priorities for the EU in the field of Schengen.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen area, State of Schengen, Schengen governance, internal border, external border
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As labour and skills shortages have been increasing and are expected to continue rising over the coming decades in all EU Member States, the European Commission published an action plan setting out key measures that the EU, Member States and social partners should take in the short to medium term to address this challenge.
