On July 7, a press conference was held with Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and EASO's Executive Director entitled: 'EASO Annual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union in 2013' and 'Latest Asylum Trends in Europe'.

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.

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.

In the light of a recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Commission is proposing to clarify which Member State is responsible for examining applications made by unaccompanied minors.

The Eurostat newsrelease provides information on the annual (final instance) asylum decisions data for 2013 (Eurostat).

On 12 and 13 June 2014, the European Migration Network Conference 2014 took place on "Irregular migration and return: challenges and practices". The Conference was organised in Athens, within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the EU Council.

The Immigration Office noticed the minimum monthly amount of livelihoods which is required from a student who wish to study in Belgium during the school or academic year 2014-2015.

The ICT Directive enters into force today 28 May 2014. Member States shall transpose the Directive by 29 November 2016.

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.

The Commission reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the EU Blue Card Directive. It assesses the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card and examines how measures were enacted in national legislation.

The French speaking Court of first instance of Brussels ruled on 19 May 2014 that an Afghan applicant rightly claimed that various organizations (UNHCR, ECRE, Amnesty International…) advocate the suspension of transfers to Bulgaria due to inadequate reception conditions and human rights violations.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New provisions making information exchange compulsory on suspected and attempts of relationships of convenience enter into force on 3 April 2013.

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.

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.