14 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.
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Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, English, border management
29 August 2016
Today, 29 August 2016, the Royal Decree from 3 August 2016 establishing the list of safe countries of origin was published in the Belgian Official Gazette and came into force. Besides the same countries as for previous years, the new list now also includes Georgia.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: list of safe countries of origin, safe country of origin
23 August 2016
Community support for Refugees in Belgium and the NGO Flemish Refugee Action (Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen) launched today a new website for asylum seekers and refugees in Belgium: www.asyluminfo.be.
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Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: Integration, refugee
04 August 2016
The European Asylum Support Office launched its first mobile app for smartphones and tablets allowing asylum seekers to quickly find information in English and various non-EU languages (English, Arabic, Sorani, Kumjani and Tigrinya) about the EU Relocation Programme.
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Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: EASO, relocation
24 July 2016
As from today 24 July, a EUR 200 administrative fine is immediately due and payable by foreigners at the border and EU citizens on the territory who irregularly cross borders/stay on the territory.
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Main Theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: administrative fine, illegal entry, illegal stay
13 July 2016
The Commission is today proposing a second set of proposals to reform the CEAS, focusing on the Asylum Procedures Directive, the Qualification Directive and the Reception Conditions Directive.
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Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: Common European Asylum System, reform
13 July 2016
Today, the European Commission proposes an EU Resettlement Framework to establish a common European policy on resettlement in order to ensure orderly and safe pathways to Europe for persons in need of international protection.
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Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: EU resettlement framework, resettlement
06 July 2016
On 6 and 7 July, the Slovakian National Contact Point of the EMN - in connection with its Member State's Presidency of the Council of the EU - organized the annual EMN conference. This time the conference focused on sustainable returns and cooperation with countries of origin.
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Main Theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: country of origin, EMN conference
01 July 2016
From 1 July 2016 till the end of the year, Slovakia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union. A sustainable migration and asylum policy is one of the top priorities of the Presidency.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: Council of the European Union, Slovak Presidency
29 June 2016
On 28 June, the European Council meeting focused on the political consequences of the UK referendum and addressed the migratory crisis among other pressing issues. On 29 June, the 27 heads of State met informally and issued a joint statement following the meeting.
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Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: Brexit, compact, Council of the European Union
29 June 2016
On 29 June in Paris, the French NCP of the EMN organised a conference with the objective to discuss labour market integration of beneficiaires of international protection and specific support measures targetting this group, as well as to provide a comparative European perspective.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Integration
Keywords: labour market access, labour market integration
28 June 2016
A law published today in the Belgian Official Gazette increases the maximum time limits for processing applications for family reunification. It will enter into force on 8 July 2016.
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Main Theme: Family reunification
Keywords: processing time
28 June 2016
A law published today in the Belgian Official Gazette limits the duration of the residence permit granted to recognized refugees in Belgium. It will enter into force on 8 July 2016.
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Main Theme: Asylum, International Protection
Keywords: refugee, residence permit
23 June 2016
Today, the Council of State has annulled the decree establishing the national list of safe countries of origin, as far as the inclusion of Albania on said list is concerned.
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Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: Albania, Council of State, list of safe countries of origin
20 June 2016
Today the European Commission launched the Knowledge Center on Migration and Demography (KCMD) to support migration and demography related EU policies.
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Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: demography, knowledge center
16 June 2016
The News Release report on 'Asylum in the EU Member States', as well the Statistics Explained 'Asylum quarterly report for the first quarter 2016 are released. These reports provide information on the number of first asylum applications, first instance decisions and pending cases in the EU.
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions
15 June 2016
On 15 June 2016, the European Commission reports on progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement, adopted a progress report on the relocation and resettlement schemes, adopted its second recommendation identifying steps to restore Dublin transfers to Greece
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Main Theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: Dublin transfer, EU-Turkey Agreement, EU-Turkey Statement, relocation, resettlement
14 June 2016
At the initiative of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, the premiums granted to Afghan and Iraqi nationals who voluntarily return to their country of origin have been temporarily doubled.
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Main Theme: Asylum, Return & Readmission
Keywords: Afghanistan, departure premium, Iraq, voluntary return
10 June 2016
Following a proposal from the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law and royal decree which aim at giving the right to municipalities to collect administrative fees for the renewal, extension or replacement of some residence permits.
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Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: administrative fee, residence permit
07 June 2016
The activity rate for non-EU citizens is lower than for nationals with a higher unemployment rate and a lower employment rate.
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Main Theme: Migration, Integration, Data & Statistics
Keywords: activity rate, employment rate
07 June 2016
The Action Plan aims at supporting Member States in the integration of third-country nationals and their economic and social contribution to the EU. It will be accompanied by a legal proposal to reform the rules on highly skilled migrants coming to the EU to work.
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Main Theme: Integration, Economic migration
Keywords: Immigrant integration, EU blue card
03 June 2016
Today, the Council of Ministers has approved the proposal of the State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration to gradually reduce the Belgian reception capacity.
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Main Theme: Reception
Keywords: Fedasil, reception place
21 May 2016
An EU directive to harmonise EU entry and residence rules to make it easier and more attractive for people from third countries to study or do research at EU universities.
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Main Theme: Migration, Study § Training
Keywords: European Parliament, intern, researcher, student
20 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.