June 2018
On the 31st of May and 1st of June, the Bulgarian Contact Point of the EMN - in the framework of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council - organized the EMN Annual Conference. The conference was dedicated to challenges and success factors in managing migration flows.
Main Theme: International Protection, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: migration management, EMN Annual Conference
May 2018
In 2018, the European Migration Network (EMN) celebrates its 10 year anniversary. On this occasion, the EMN organized a conference on 15 May in Brussels.
February 2018
Today, the Belgian Minister of Home Affairs, the Belgian State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration met with the British Home Secretary in London to discuss the issue of transit migration.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: transit migration, transit migrants, United Kingdom
February 2018
Today, Frontex published its Risk Analysis for 2018, which concentrates on the scope of Frontex operational activities and, in particular, on irregular migration at the external borders of the EU and Schengen Associated Countries.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Frontex, risk analysis, border management
December 2017
The system that will register entry, exit and refusal of entry information of third country nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen area will come into operation, by 2020 at the latest.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, smart border
October 2017
On the 26th of October 2017 the general policy note on asylum and migration of the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration was published. The policy note provides an overview of the main achievements and priorities in the field of asylum and migration.
September 2017
The European Commission published a mid-term review of what has been achieved so far in delivering the European Agenda on Migration. It also sets out new initiatives from the Commission to address key areas, and identifies where further efforts are needed in the coming months.
September 2017
In order to preserve and strengthen the Schengen area, the Commission is proposing to update the Schengen Borders Code to adapt the rules for the reintroduction of temporary internal border controls to the current needs to respond to evolving and persistent serious threats to public policy or internal security.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen
September 2017
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), published data on recent arrivals in Europe. Compared with the 273,000 migrants who landed from January through Aug. 27, 2016, about 121,000 arrived during the same period this year. Furthermore, there was no evidence of any migrant dying in the Mediterranean since Aug. 9
Main Theme: Data & Statistics, International Protection, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Central Mediterranean route
July 2017
Following up on the Commission's Action Plan to support Italy from 4 July, the EU Trust Fund for Africa adopted today a programme worth €46 million to reinforce the integrated migration and border management capacities of the Libyan authorities.
Main Theme: External Dimension, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration
Keywords: EU Trust Fund for Africa, Libya, border management
June 2017
As from today Ukrainian citizens holding biometric passports can travel to the Schengen Zone without a visa for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes other than working.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: visa-free travel
May 2017
The European Commission is today recommending that Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway phase out the temporary controls currently in place at some of their internal Schengen borders over the next six months.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, border control
March 2017
On 18 March 2017, a regulation amending the Schengen borders code was published in the EU Official Journal. The amendment aims to reinforce checks against relevant databases at the external borders.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen borders code, database
January 2017
The Passenger Name Record (PNR) law has been adopted in Parliament in December 2016. It was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 25 January 2017. On the basis of this law, carriers will be obliged to send data on their passengers travelling from, to, or across Belgium to a central database.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: public order, Travellers
January 2017
Ahead of the meeting of Heads of State or Government in Malta on 3 February 2017, the Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President have set out their contribution to the discussion on how to better manage migration and save lives along the Central Mediterranean route.
Main Theme: International Protection, Borders & Visa, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Mediterranean
December 2016
The Commission is today proposing to improve the Schengen Information System (SIS) to close information gaps and to contribute to a stronger control of external borders and sustainable EU Security Union.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: external border, Schengen Information System
October 2016
Today, the new agency aimed at strengthening Europe's external borders is legally operational.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard
September 2016
Today the new Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border management, European Border and Coast Guard
September 2016
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.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, English, border management
May 2016
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.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: suspension mechanism, visa liberalisation
May 2016
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.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration
Keywords: border control, Greek Action Plan, Schengen borders code
April 2016
The Commission finds that good progress has been made to implement the EU-Turkey Statement.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission
Keywords: EU-Turkey Statement, resettlement
February 2016
The Justice and Home Affairs Council of 25/02/2016 discussed the current migratory situation, including the monitoring of implementation of the measures already agreed at recent meetings of the European Council and Justice and Home Affairs Council.
February 2016
Today Interior Minister Jan Jambon announced the Belgian government's decision to patrol the border with France until 23 March 2016, alleging a surge in arrivals caused by the closure of the refugee camp known as the "Jungle" in Calais.
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Calais Jungle, internal border control, Schengen Agreement
December 2015
The Commission is proposing to establish a European Border and Coast Guard and also to introduce systematic checks against relevant databases for all people entering and exiting the Schengen area.