16 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.
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Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: detention center, operating rule
13 May 2014
In preparation of the Global Forum on Migration and Development Meeting in Stockholm the 14th to 16th May the Transatlantic Council on Migration published a Council Statement: How Migration Can Advance Development Goals.
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Main Theme: External Dimension
Keywords: migration and development
09 May 2014
The Court of Cassation ruled today that an administrative fine is due for carrying someone who doesn't hold documents to enter or transit Belgium, even if at the border an authorization to enter is issued.
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Main Theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: administrative fine
09 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.
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Main Theme: Migration, Study § Training
Keywords: education, foreign, student, migratory background
14 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.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: asylum and migration fund, EU-funding, internal security fund
04 April 2014
Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions
04 April 2014
The summit took stock of progress made on Roma inclusion in the EU. It focused on three major themes: making policies inclusive for all Roma at the local level; making EU funding reach the local and regional authorities; making Roma integration a local reality.
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Main Theme: Integration
Keywords: Roma, Roma community, Roma integration strategy
04 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.
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Main Theme: Migration, Family reunification
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
04 April 2014
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposed " list of safe countries of origin ". Since two years the same seven countries are on the list : Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and India.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: safe country of origin
03 April 2014
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 reunification
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive
03 April 2014
New provisions making information exchange compulsory on suspected and attempts of relationships of convenience enter into force on 3 April 2013.
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Main Theme: Family reunification
Keywords: legal cohabitation of convenience, marriage of convenience
01 April 2014
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
31 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.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: federal ombudsman
Communication on the EU Return's Policy presents progress made and future developments in this field
28 March 2014
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
UNHCR report shows rise in asylum claims in 44 industrialized countries over the course of last year
21 March 2014
UNHCR "Asylum Trends 2013" says that 612.700 people applied for asylum in North America, Europe, East Asia and the Pacific last year, the highest total for any year since 2001. The report shows how this is primarily driven by the crisis in Syria.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: asylum trend
11 March 2014
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
03 March 2014
Tunisia and the EU today formally established a Mobility Partnership. Together with nine other EU Member States, Belgium is involved in the Partnership and signed the joint Declaration.
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Main Theme: External Dimension
Keywords: mobility partnership
03 March 2014
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
21 February 2014
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
17 February 2014
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
14 February 2014
Today, on 14 February 2014, the first meeting took place of the Return and Reintegration Experts' Group (REG) under auspices of the European Migration Network. REG incorporates the former work of the Voluntary Return European Network.
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Main Theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: voluntary return, VREG
07 February 2014
Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum decisions, asylum applications
23 January 2014
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.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Greek Council Presidency, priorities
21 January 2014
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
07 January 2014
The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) published a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions for the year 2013.