The number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external borders in January fell by nearly half from a year ago to nearly 5 800*, mainly because of lower figures on the migratory routes in the Mediterranean, according to preliminary calculations. Western Africa Nearly 2 100 irregular migrants arrived on the Canary Islands in the first […]
Read More
Commission launches debate on responding to the impact of an ageing population
The European Commission presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe’s ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society and invites the public to express their views on how to respond to this in a public consultation, which will […]
Read More
Irregular migration into EU last year lowest since 2013 due to COVID-19
The number of detections of illegal border crossings along the EU’s external borders fell 13% last year to around 124 000, in large part due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions put in place by various countries, according to preliminary figures collected by Frontex. This was the lowest number of illegal border crossings since 2013. […]
Read More
Migration in the Mediterranean: EU external borders
The number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external borders fell by 21% in the first 10 months of this year to 87 500*, largely because of a drop in arrivals in Eastern and Western Mediterranean, according to preliminary calculations. In October, the number of illegal border crossings was 19% lower than in the previous […]
Read More
European Commissioner for Home Affairs: ‘The increasing migratory pressure towards the Canary Islands is a challenge we must face together’
Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs visited Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where she met the Minister of the Interior as well as regional and local authorities The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has visited Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. During the visit, she had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the […]
Read More
The European Commission is proposing a new Pact on Migration and Asylum
The European Commission is proposing a new Pact on Migration and Asylum, covering all of the different elements needed for a comprehensive European approach to migration. It sets out improved and faster procedures throughout the asylum and migration system. And it sets in balance the principles of fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity. This is crucial for rebuilding trust between Member […]
Read More
MEPs approve €585 million to support refugees from Syria
Budget Committee MEPs gave their green light to top up support to refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon in response to the Syrian crisis. The draft report by Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) recommending the approval of the draft amending budget was adopted on Wednesday 24th with 33 votes to 4 and 3 abstentions. €485 million are earmarked […]
Read More
26 coordinated arrests in Belgium and France of suspects of a migrant smuggling criminal group
The action is the result of a cross-border investigation supported by Eurojust and Europol which looks at the criminal activity of people smuggling across the continent, and was prompted by the discovery of 39 deceased Vietnamese nationals inside a refrigerated trailer in Essex in the United Kingdom in October 2019. In Belgium, 16 house searches […]
Read More
Schengen, migration, asylum and security in times of COVID-19
MEPs will quiz Commissioner Johansson on the future of the border-free Schengen zone, common migration and asylum policy and security in the context of the pandemic. In a debate in the Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday afternoon, MEPs will try to clarify how the Commission plans to ensure that temporary controls on the internal borders, reintroduced […]
Read More