March 2015

On 25 March 2015 the European Commission has approved 22 new multiannual national programmes under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) for the period 2014-2020, worth together approximately €1.8 billion.

March 2015

During the meeting of the Home Affairs Council, Ministers discussed migratory pressures, and in particular the situation in the central Mediterranean, as well as increasing trends in asylum applications from Western Balkans countries and in particular Kosovo.

March 2015

The College of Commissioners held a first orientation debate setting out the four main areas where actions are envisaged in the European Agenda on Migration.

February 2015

The Royal Decree of 16 February 2015 determining amounts and practical arrangements for collecting fees for the handling of certain applications for a residence permit has been published today, 20 February 2015.

January 2015

The European Migration Forum – the dialogue platform on migration, asylum and migrant integration – has met for the first time on 26 and 27 January 2015.

January 2015

As from today, foreigners have to pay a fee for introducing certain applications for a residence permit in Belgium with a view to covering administrative costs relating to the processing of such applications.
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: processing fee, residence permit

January 2015

In the first half of 2015 Latvia will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Presidency will focus on the implementation of the Strategic Guidelines in the area of freedom, security and justice (June 2014), as well as on the respective follow-up initiatives.

December 2014

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.

December 2014

The Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting gathering all EU 28 Justice and Home Affairs national ministers took place on 4 and 5 December 2014. Managing migratory flows, the functioning of the Schengen area and acting on foreign fighters were the main migration related topics discussed.

November 2014

On 28 November 2014, the new State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, Theo Francken, delivered the general policy note defining the main orientations and actions in the field of asylum and migration.

November 2014

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.
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: european law, infringement, monitoring

November 2014

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

October 2014

The Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting gathering all EU 28 Justice and Home Affairs national ministers took place on 9 and 10 October 2014. A strategic approach and operational priorities have been defined to take action to better manage migratory flows.

October 2014

The new government Michel published its coalition agreement on 9 October 2014. Theo Francken (N-VA) was appointed as the new State Secretary for Asylum and Migration.

September 2014

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.

September 2014

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.

July 2014

From 1 July 2014, Italy takes over the Presidency of ther Council of the European Union from Greece and will hold it until 31 December 2014.

June 2014

One of the key objectives of the EU is to build an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, and with full respect for fundamental rights. To this end, coherent policy measures need to be taken with respect to asylum, immigration and borders.

May 2014

ICMPD sharpens the focus on Mediterranean migration and mobility, and related challenges. The YoM newsletter is for policy-makers, practitioners, experts and researchers but more than that also for all those interested in migration in the Mediterranean.
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: Mediterranean region

May 2014

On 14 to 16 May 2014, Sweden hosted the 7th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Meeting in Stockholm with the theme “Unlocking the potential of migration for inclusive development.”

May 2014

The Royal Decree from 8 May 2014, which determines operating rules specifically applied to residents in detention centers who don’t adapt or pose a risk to the group scheme, has been published.
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: detention center, operating rule

May 2014

The school results of students in Belgium are still very much determined by their socio-economic and migration background. This is the key conclusion of the new analysis of the PISA figures on the educational performance of young people in Belgium.

April 2014

Today the Council adopted the regulations establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund for the period 2014-2020. The total financial envelope for the implementation of these programmes 2014-2020 is set at € 6.901 million in current prices.

April 2014

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.

March 2014

In his annual report 2013, the Federal Ombudsman reports on claims inter alia relating to the open return centre in Holsbeek, reception of EU families and regularization on medical grounds.