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On the occasion of the European Parliament plenary session of 13 January 2015, Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos spoke on human smuggling in the Mediterranean and the needed reaction of the EU
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Main theme: Asylum, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Frontex, joint operation Triton, resettlement, Syrian refugees
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Today the European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2015 – setting out the actions the Commission intends to take over the next 12 months to make a real difference for jobs, growth and investment and bring concrete benefits for citizens.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Agenda on Migration, work programme
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The first meeting of the European Migration Forum will take place on 26-27 January 2015 in Brussels. Through a participatory approach and the involvement of civil society organizations, the European Migration Forum will provide a platform for exchanges on migration, asylum and integration issues.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration, Integration
Keywords: civil society participation, European Migration Forum
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Syria neighbouring States are increasingly affected by the number of refugees seeking sanctuary within their country. The European Commission is stepping up its assistance to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon to contribute to address Syrian refugees’ needs.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Asylum
Keywords: financial assistance, humanitarian support, Syrian refugees
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On 1 October 2014, the European Commission has released its 31st Annual Report on monitoring the application of EU law in Member States. As far as home affairs and migration issues are concerned, four infringement procedures are open against Belgium.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: european law, infringement, monitoring
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On the occasion of 25 November 2014 EP Plenary Debate on Migration, EU new Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, introduced the debate and presented the EU main orientations and policy fields for an integrated approach on migration and asylum
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Main theme: External Dimension, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs, European Agenda
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On 11 November 2014, the European Commission has released its 6th bi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area covering the period from 1 May to 31 October 2014.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission, Data & Statistics
Keywords: border management, irregular migration path, Schengen, visa policy
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18 October is EU Anti-Trafficking Day. To mark the Eight EU Anti trafficking Day, the European Commission has published a package on Trafficking in Human Beings and civil society organizations have launched a European campaign against human trafficking and labour exploitation.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: anti-trafficking day, campaign against trafficking in human beings, victim of trafficking
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Dimitris Avramopoulos appeared at the European Parliament for a three-hour long interview. His competences and knowledge were tested today by the relevant parliamentary committee.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs
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The European Commission published on 26 September 2014 a handbook to help EU Member States take action against marriages of convenience between EU citizens and non-EU nationals in the context of EU law on free movement. The Commission prepared the handbook in close cooperation with Member States.
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Main theme: Family Migration, Irregular Migration
Keywords: free movement, handbook, marriages of convenience, misuse
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The joint European Commission-OECD report on Matching Economic Migration with Labour Market Needs shows that migration and mobility have a key role to play to address demographic decline and skills shortages in the EU.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Student Migration, Economic migration
Keywords: migrants' skills, labour mobility, labour migration, employment, demography
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Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission President-elect, has designed a new Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner: Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greece's current Minister of National Defence.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs
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In the light of a recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Commission is proposing to clarify which Member State is responsible for examining applications made by unaccompanied minors.
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Main theme: International Protection, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: Dublin Regulation, unaccompanied minors
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The Commission reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the EU Blue Card Directive. It assesses the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card and examines how measures were enacted in national legislation.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU blue card
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The consultation, which runs over 12 weeks and closes on 3 July 2014, allows a wide range of stakeholders and organizations to contribute to the development of guidance on integrated child protection systems.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: child protection
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The Commission is presenting guidance for the correct and meaningful application of the Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC) across Member States while avoiding possible abuses.
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Main theme: Migration, Family Migration
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
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In a communication released today, the Commission provides guidance on how to apply Directive 2003/86/EC. Member States are invited to use their margin of appreciation in a manner that doesn't undermine the objective of the Directive.
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Main theme: Family Migration
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
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The Commission presented two proposals today to greatly facilitate the procedures for short-stay visitors. Important changes in the visa rules aim to stimulate the European economy and facilitate the lives of travellers towards the EU.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: touring visa, visa code, visa policy
Communication on the EU Return's Policy presents progress made and future developments in this field
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In a Communication adopted today, the Commission stresses that Member States have generally ensured that the Return Directive is transposed in their national law but that there is scope for improvement in the practical implementation of the Directive and of return policies in general.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: return directive
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At a press conference today in Strasbourg, Cecilia Malmström underlined the important steps taken based on the Stockholm program but said that work was not over and that efforts should be stepped up in certain areas.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: post Stockholm Programme
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Tunisia and the EU today formally established a Mobility Partnership. Belgium is one of the ten EU Member States involved in the Partnership.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: mobility partnership, Tunisia
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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.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: Global Approach on Migration and Mobility
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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.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU directive, legal migration, seasonal labour, seasonal workers directive
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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.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: post Stockholm Programme, Stockholm Programme
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The tragedy in Lampedusa prompted an unprecedented call for action by EU leaders and citizens. On 4 December, the Commission proposed ways to increase solidarity and mutual support in order to prevent migrants' death in the Mediterranean.
