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.

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.

The Greek Presidency presented its priorities which, in the area of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, include the implementation of the Smart Borders package; addressing the situation of migrants and asylum seekers in the European Union; and the rise of far right movements across Europe.

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.

Today marks the lifting of the last restrictions on the free movement of workers from Bulgaria and Romania. From today, Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are able to fully exercise their right to work in all EU countries without a work permit.

Based on the EMN Work Programme 2014, approved by the Steering Board in November 2013 and in the process of being formally approved by the Commission, the EMN will work this year on new deliverables.

Ending its 3279th meeting of 5 and 6 December, the JHA Council presents its conclusions. Topics discussed include the free movement of EU citizens, the Task Force Mediterranean, full application of the Schengen acquis by Bulgaria and Romania and the European citizenship report 2013.

On 26 November 2013 the first edition of the Flemish Migration and Integration Monitor has been presented. The report joins and interprets administrative and statistical data on migratory and integration processes in Flanders.

The Migration Policy Institute has published a series of policy briefs that distill the accumulated evidence and experience on eight specific aspects of migration and development, and offer recommendations to policymakers.

As of today, you can access the new official EMN EU website. This move, together with a thorough review of its contents, leads to more visibility and the dissemination to a wider public of the network and of its activities and outputs.

Today the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN meets with representatives from KNOMAD, a World Bank Initiative, that aims to be a global hub of knowledge and policy expertise on migration and development issues. Discover the initiative with us!

The King Baudouin Foundation calls on young researchers, students or graduates to deliver a useful contribution to policy making in the area of migration and integration. Four persons will be rewarded for the work presented!

Today, 1 July 2013, the "Law Program" from 28 June 2013 involving a number of changes for foreigners living in Belgium, enters into force. The political agreement on the Law was reached in the framework of discussions on the budget.

The President of the European Parliament, the President of the Council, with the support of the European Commission have just agreed on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the next seven years for the European Union.

The Irish EMN NCP explored how the economic crisis has affected immigrants, migratory flows and migration policies in Ireland, Europe and the wider international context.

Today the Commission staff working document "Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration", accompanying the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, was released.

The migration of data from SIS I to SIS II has started as the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) is today replacing the current system.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) starts tri-annually publishing a newsletter that provides regular updates on the progresses and achievements in the context of migration and environment.

The EMN Work Programme for 2013 builds on and consolidates the approach of last year, improving the network capacity for producing information in more flexible and timely ways to meet the needs of policymakers.

The policy papers on asylum, migration and reception were presented by secretary of state Maggie De Block in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. The main achievements regarding asylum, migration and reception for the year 2012 are listed, as well as the challenges for the coming year.

The programme of the Irish Presidency was officially launched in Dublin on Wednesday 9 January and establishes priorities in the fields of Asylum and Migration.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council, including the Belgian Ministers Joëlle Milquet and Annemie Turtelboom, and State Secretary Maggie De Block, met on 6 and 7 December 2012. The ministers also discussed issues concerning Immigration and Asylum.

The article, reveals that family-related migration is the main driver for Belgium’s recent transition to a country of permanent settlement, with significant numbers of foreign-born students, workers, and refugees.

Today, thanks to the Charles Ullens Price, the President of the King Baudouin Foundation, Ms Françoise Tulkens, rewarded the work of six young researchers on various challenges related to migration and integration.

Following a selection procedure, the Steering Board members of the European Migration Network approved four study topics to be addressed in 2013