The European Commission welcomes thepolitical declaration on migrationadopted today by the Council of Europe at the Ministerial Conference in Chisinau. The declaration highlights the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights and the values underpinning the Council of Europe, values which are shared by the EU. The declaration addresses several key issues in the […]
2025 ESDE report highlights the importance of underrepresented groups
Better integrating underrepresented groups — such as women, older people, migrants and persons with disabilities — into the job market can help to mitigate skills and labour shortages and offset the demographic changes that risk shrinking the EU’s workforce by up to 18 million by 2050. The Commission’s 2025 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) report […]
Spain dismantles criminal network smuggling migrants from Algeria to the EU
The Spanish Guardia Civil, supported by Europol, dismantled a criminal network smuggling migrants by boats from Algeria to Spain and onwards to other EU countries. The network, led by a Moroccan national, was comprised of both Algerian and Moroccan suspects based in Spain. Their operations relied on significant financial and logistical resources, misusing legitimate businesses […]
Two-way migrant smuggling network busted in France and Spain
Europol supported the French National Police (Police Nationale/OLTIM Perpignan) and the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional/UCRIF Central) in dismantling an organised criminal network smuggling migrants of Algerian and Moroccan origin from Spain to France as well as in the opposite direction, from the United Kingdom to Spain. In addition to the arrests made in Spain […]
8 arrests for migrant smuggling and drug trafficking across the Mediterranean
Europol has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organised network involved in both migrant smuggling and drug trafficking between Spain and Morocco. Authorities believe the group smuggled over 200 people and obtained over EUR 2.5 million in profits. The action day led to the following results: 8 arrests, including the […]
Network smuggling migrants between Spain and France busted in Marseille
Europol supported the French National Police (Police Nationale/OLTIM) and the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) in dismantling an organised criminal network smuggling migrants from Spain to France. The investigation was initiated in November 2022 and targeted individuals, based in Marseille, suspected of smuggling migrants between Spain and France. Europol’s analysis of the operational data made […]
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 […]
New EU financial assistance to address the situation on the Canary Islands
The Commission announced new funding of €43.2 million to Spain to address the needs on the Canary Islands arising from high numbers of people arriving irregularly – some 20,000 people this year. The funding will go towards increasing temporary shelter capacity and improving reception conditions, including access to health assistance, food and sanitation. Financial support […]
ISFP. Common Operational Partnerships against migrant smuggling
Objectives Activities aiming at an enhanced prevention and fight against the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings by establishing Common Operational Partnerships (COPs) that would support structured cooperation between competent law enforcement authorities, judicial authorities and other relevant services of the participating EU Member States and third countries. Activities could include: enhanced mutual […]