On November 11th, the European Commission is taking a further step in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum by launching the first Annual Migration Management Cycle. The Annual Cycle provides a comprehensive overview of the asylum and migration situation in the EU, identifies the migratory situations Member States are facing, and proposes an Annual Solidarity Pool, […]
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Commission sets the launch date for the Entry/Exit System to 12 October 2025
The Commission has set 12 October 2025 as the launch date for the progressive start of operations of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES is an advanced technological system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries, including Schengen Associated ones, for short stays. It will capture biometric data, such […]
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Visit of MEPs to El Hierro focused on irregular migration
Nine MEPs from the EP’s Civil Liberties Committee are travelling to the Canary Island to gather first-hand information on the challenges that arrivals from the West African route create for migrant reception centres and authorities, and explore ways to support the affected regions. The delegation will meet with representatives of local, regional and national administrations, […]
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Proposal for the implementation of the “safe third country” concept
The Commission proposes to facilitate the implementation of the safe third country concept. The Commission has proposed some rules that will facilitate the implementation by Member States of the safe third country concept. This will speed up asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems, while preserving legal safeguards for applicants and ensuring respect for […]
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Commission adds €3 billion for the Pact on Migration and Ukrainian refugees.
The Commission has adopted a decision to provide an additional €3 billion to support Member States with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and to host refugees from Ukraine. President von der Leyen announced this extra support in last May 9’s press conference with Chancellor Merz. The additional funding comes from the […]
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New changes in safe countries of origin according to Pact on Migration and Asylum
On 16 April, the Commission propossed to accelerate the implementation of certain aspects of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted last year and due to enter into application in June 2026. The Commission is proposing to frontload two key elements of the Asylum Procedure Regulation with the aim of supporting Member States to process asylum […]
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Migration: Commission proposes a new approach to returns
Return rates across the EU stand today at around 20 percent. Persons ordered to leave an EU country frequently escape the authorities. The European Commission has now proposed to help EU countries increase return rates while fully respecting fundamental rights by establishing a common EU return system. This will complement the EU Pact on Migration […]
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Council establishes position for the progressive launch of a new digital border management system
The Council today set out a general approach on a Regulation that would allow Member States to gradually introduce, over a period of six months, the digital Entry/Exit System (EES) for border management. The Regulation allows Member States to start taking advantage of the system and gives border authorities and the transport sector more time […]
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Migrant smuggling: member states reach agreement on criminal law
Today the Council agreed its position on an EU law on preventing and countering migrant smuggling. The objective of this proposal is to bring member states’ criminal law closer together on issues such as the definition and sanctioning of migrant smuggling. The position agreed today will serve as the basis for upcoming negotiations with the […]
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