According to preliminary data collected by Frontex, the most significant declines in irregular border crossings were observed on the Western Balkan and Central Mediterranean routes, with a 79% and 64% decline, respectively. The Eastern Land Border and Western African routes saw the highest increases, at 192% and 100%, respectively.

EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced that the Entry-Exit System (EES) which aims to modernise EU border management and which was supposed to start on 10 November 2024, has been postponed with no new date set. Ms Johansson suggested that the EU may roll out the EES gradually.

During the plenary debate on the reintroduction of internal border controls in the Schengen area and its impact on EU free movement, Commissioner Ylva Johansson underlined that internal border controls must be temporary, proportionate and a measure of last resort. She underlined that alternative measures should always be prioritised.

Before 20 September 2024, Member States can apply for funding for projects focused on combating organised crime under the Internal Security Fund and for projects to reinforce border checks or border surveillance under the Border Management and Visa Instrument. EUR 17 million are intended for this purpose.

Checks are being temporarily reintroduced at Germany's borders with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark. They will run from 16 September 2024 until 15 March 2025 to, among other things, reduce irregular migration and combat people smuggling. 

The latest report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) identifies systemic gaps and obstacles to investigating rights violations at EU borders. The report suggests concrete steps to ensure more effective investigations into incidents of loss of life and ill-treatment at the EU’s borders.

Het aantal irreguliere grensoverschrijdingen naar de Europese Unie daalde in de eerste zes maanden van 2024 tot ongeveer 94.000, volgens voorlopige gegevens verzameld door Frontex. De Westelijke Balkan en de Centrale Middellandse Zee noteerden de grootste dalingen in het aantal gedetecteerde irreguliere grensoverschrijdingen, terwijl West-Afrika en de Oostelijke landgrens de grootste stijgingen zagen.

This online annual conference, organised by the Academy of European Law (ERA), will debate the latest developments and challenges in the EU’s internal and external border management. It will inter alia analyse the latest proposals and reforms on the functioning and operation of EU border management systems, including Schengen, as well as Frontex’ role and responsibilities. 

On 24 May 2024, the Council of the European Union, with Spain and Slovenia abstaining, finally adopted the reform of the Schengen Borders Code. The reform inter alia aims to make the Schengen area more resilient to present and future crises at its external borders. 

Fifteen European countries plead with the European Commission to go beyond the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. They push for comprehensive, mutually beneficial and durable partnerships with third countries located along the migratory routes. They also want to inter alia explore solutions aimed at rescuing migrants on the high seas and bringing them to a predetermined place of safety in a partner country outside the EU.

On 2 May 2024, President von der Leyen was with Cypriot President Christodoulides in Beirut to announce a financial package of EUR 1 billion for Lebanon to contribute to the country's socio-economic stability and to migration management. The deal has already received criticism from various quarters.

On 2 May 2024, the Chamber of Representatives adopted in plenary session the draft law relating to the competencies of the members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the national territory. The law inter alia defines how Frontex members will support the Federal Police in the field of border controls and forced return of foreigners.  

During the first half of 2024, pivotal policy and political developments in the area of asylum and migration were put on the agenda, including the voting of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum by the European Parliament, and the European elections. At this critical juncture, there is a need for credible evidence, established expertise and open dialogue on the direction and shape of future policymaking. Within this context, MIGNEX is convening a high-level Policy Conference on EU migration and development policy.

On 16 April 2024, the Commission published its 2024 State of Schengen report. The report elaborates on major legislative and policy developments in the area of Schengen from the past year, including the Pact on Migration and Asylum. It also reflects on challenges and sheds light on future priorities for the EU in the field of Schengen.

At the request of the European Ombudsman, an inquiry was launched into the European Commission's approach to ensuring respect for human rights in the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “on a strategic and global partnership”. This inquiry follows concerns about the absence of a prior human rights impact assessment in the context of the Memorandum.

Op 31 maart 2024 worden Bulgarije en Roemenië Schengenlid: de Schengenregels zijn dan in beide lidstaten van toepassing, ook wat betreft de afgifte van Schengenvisa, en de controles aan de binnengrenzen in de lucht en op zee worden opgeheven. De besprekingen over een datum voor een mogelijke opheffing van de personencontroles aan de landbinnengrenzen worden in 2024 voortgezet.

On 28 March 2024, the House of Representatives, during the plenary session, approved by a majority the ETIAS law which establishes the Belgian ETIAS National Unit and defines its organisation and functioning. It will enforce the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) regulation adopted by the European Union in 2018. 

In a joint Declaration signed in Cairo on 17 March 2024, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership. The document identifies specific areas of cooperation, including migration and mobility.

At a meeting of the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), Member States agreed their position on a draft regulation which updates a mechanism that allows the EU to suspend visa-free travel for third countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa obligation when travelling to the Schengen area.

Vandaag hebben de onderhandelaars van het Belgische Raadsvoorzitterschap en die van het Europees Parlement een voorlopig akkoord bereikt over twee verordeningen die de verzameling en het gebruik van luchtvaartpassagiersgegevens regelen voor grensbeheer en rechtshandhaving.

Op 28 februari publiceerde de Europese Ombudsman een persmededeling over de voltooiing van een onderzoek naar de scheepsramp met de Adriana in juni 2023. De persmededeling identificeerde verschillende systemische problemen. De Ombudsman riep EU-wetgevers op om lacunes in de bescherming van grondrechten aan te pakken. Daarnaast, raadde ze aan een onafhankelijke onderzoekscommissie op te richten om de redenen voor het grote aantal doden op de Middellandse Zee te onderzoeken.

In het vandaag gepubliceerde pushback-rapport 2023 zegt de mensenrechtenorganisatie 11.11.11. dat er in 2023 346.004 illegale pushbacks waren van mensen die naar Europa migreerden - dat zijn er 947 per dag. De organisatie heeft informatie van ngo's, mensenrechtenorganisaties en VN-agentschappen gebruikt om dit cijfer te rapporteren. 

Het Belgische voorzitterschap van de Raad van de Europese Unie en onderhandelaars van het Europees Parlement hebben vandaag een voorlopige overeenkomst bereikt over de wijziging van de Schengengrenscode. De update verduidelijkt met name de regels met betrekking tot de herinvoering van grenscontroles en biedt oplossingen voor situaties waarin migranten worden geïnstrumentaliseerd.