On the occasion of President Juncker's 2016 State of the Union address, the European Commission today set out their view on how the European Union can enhance security in Europe by improving the exchange of information in the fight against terrorism and strengthening external borders.

Today, 29 August 2016, the Royal Decree from 3 August 2016 establishing the list of safe countries of origin was published in the Belgian Official Gazette and came into force. Besides the same countries as for previous years, the new list now also includes Georgia.

The European Asylum Support Office launched its first mobile app for smartphones and tablets allowing asylum seekers to quickly find information in English and various non-EU languages (English, Arabic, Sorani, Kumjani and Tigrinya) about the EU Relocation Programme.

Today, the European Commission proposes an EU Resettlement Framework to establish a common European policy on resettlement in order to ensure orderly and safe pathways to Europe for persons in need of international protection.

From 1 July 2016 till the end of the year, Slovakia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union. A sustainable migration and asylum policy is one of the top priorities of the Presidency.

On 28 June, the European Council meeting focused on the political consequences of the UK referendum and addressed the migratory crisis among other pressing issues. On 29 June, the 27 heads of State met informally and issued a joint statement following the meeting.

A law published today in the Belgian Official Gazette increases the maximum time limits for processing applications for family reunification. It will enter into force on 8 July 2016.

A law published today in the Belgian Official Gazette limits the duration of the residence permit granted to recognized refugees in Belgium. It will enter into force on 8 July 2016.

Today, a new law was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. It introduces several changes to the Immigration Act and the Reception Act, including on family reunification or searches in closed centres.

Today, the Council of State has annulled the decree establishing the national list of safe countries of origin, as far as the inclusion of Albania on said list is concerned.

The News Release report on 'Asylum in the EU Member States', as well the Statistics Explained 'Asylum quarterly report for the first quarter 2016 are released. These reports provide information on the number of first asylum applications, first instance decisions and pending cases in the EU.

On 15 June 2016, the European Commission reports on progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement, adopted a progress report on the relocation and resettlement schemes, adopted its second recommendation identifying steps to restore Dublin transfers to Greece

At the initiative of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, the premiums granted to Afghan and Iraqi nationals who voluntarily return to their country of origin have been temporarily doubled.

Following a proposal from the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law and royal decree which aim at giving the right to municipalities to collect administrative fees for the renewal, extension or replacement of some residence permits.

The activity rate for non-EU citizens is lower than for nationals with a higher unemployment rate and a lower employment rate.

The Action Plan aims at supporting Member States in the integration of third-country nationals and their economic and social contribution to the EU. It will be accompanied by a legal proposal to reform the rules on highly skilled migrants coming to the EU to work.

Today, the Council of Ministers has approved the proposal of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration to gradually reduce the Belgian reception capacity.

An EU directive to harmonise EU entry and residence rules to make it easier and more attractive for people from third countries to study or do research at EU universities.

Today the Council of the EU agreed its negotiating position on the proposed Regulation to revise the suspension mechanism to be applied to all existing visa liberalisation agreements.

How fundamental rights have been applied in the European migration policy in 2015 ? This is one of the question addressed by the report.

Today the Commission is reporting on progress in the fight against trafficking in human beings. The report presents trends, progress and challenges in this field. Efforts must be stepped up to effectively fight this phenomenon.

The new directive regulates the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in the EU. Its main objective: the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.

The Commission has today proposed a Recommendation, to be decided upon by the Council, to prolong proportionate controls at certain internal Schengen borders for a maximum period of six months.

The news release covers main trends on the registration of unaccompanied minors among asylum seekers in the EU in 2015.

The Commission finds that good progress has been made to implement the EU-Turkey Statement.