In view of the unfolding situation in Lampedusa, and while recognising the increasing pressure along different migratory routes, European Commission President von der Leyen laid out the following set of immediate actions to be exercised in full respect of fundamental rights and international obligations: Reinforce the support to Italy by the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) and the […]
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Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis, to promote sustainability and to support Ukraine
The last Flash Eurobarometer survey shows an overwhelming support among Europeans for the measures taken over the last year to protect consumers and companies from volatility of energy prices, as well as action to foster energy security and the green transition. It also confirms a large consensus among EU citizens in favour of boosting clean […]
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Parliament asks EU to do more to save lives across the seas
MEPs wish to see the EU and member states carry out more active and coordinated search and rescue (SAR) operations, with border agency Frontex playing a key role. Following a plenary debate on Wednesday, the European Parliament today adopted by show of hands a resolution asking for member states and Frontex to provide sufficient capacity […]
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Council and Parliament strike a deal on a European digital identity
With a view to ensuring secure, trusted, and seamless access to cross-border public and private services in the EU, the Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional political agreement on the core elements of a new framework for a European digital identity (eID). The revised regulation constitutes a clear paradigm shift for digital identity in […]
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Council and European Parliament agree on rules to digitalise the visa procedure
Council negotiators and the European Parliament have provisionally agreed on rules to digitalise the visa procedure. The regulation introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa. The goal of the proposal is twofold: to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve […]
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Council agrees on new migration and asylum rules
The Council took a decisive step towards a modernisation of the EU’s rulebook for asylum and migration. It agreed on a negotiating position on the asylum procedure regulation and on the asylum and migration management regulation. This position will form the basis of negotiations by the Council presidency with the European Parliament. Streamlining of asylum […]
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Commission presents new Action Plan for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes
The Commission is presenting an EU Action Plan on the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic migration routes. In her letter to the European Council of 20 March 2023, President von der Leyen reiterated the Commission’s ongoing work with the Member States most concerned on the Action plans for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic too. This Action Plan is also […]
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European Commission launches consultation process to improve EU visa suspension mechanism
The Commission adopted a Communication on the monitoring of the EU’s visa-free travel regimes setting out a consultation process. The Communication looks at the functioning of the EU’s visa-free regimes and identifies the main challenges in the areas of irregular migration and security. The Visa Suspension Mechanism is set out in Article 8 of the […]
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Immigration in the European Union: Figures for 2022
In 2022, 141 060 non-EU citizens were refused entry into the EU territory while 1.08 million were found to be illegally present in one of the EU countries. The number of non-EU citizens issued with an order to leave an EU Member State was 422 400. Following an order to leave, 96 795 non-EU citizens were […]
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