The European Commission has unveiled a new strategy to combat human trafficking. In 2023 and 2024, more than 20,000 victims were recorded across the EU, representing a 16.1 per cent increase, although many cases remain unreported. Trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminal activity, begging and forced marriage. The new strategy […]
The Council adopts new rules on the return of persons without the right to remain in the EU
The Council has given its final approval to the new EU rules enabling more effective returns of people who are not legally entitled to remain in the EU. As set out in the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, the new rules, which will come into force in the coming weeks, complement the Pact on Migration […]
The Commission proposes a five-point plan to strengthen the resilience and security of the EU’s external borders
The Commission is proposing a five-point plan to prevent, anticipate and respond to sudden, large-scale irregular arrivals. This plan will strengthen the resilience and security of the EU’s external borders. The EU has a comprehensive and robust framework for managing migration, which has delivered clear results, with illegal border crossings at their lowest level since […]
Conference on the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum: Legal and Social Challenges
The right to asylum and the management of migration flows remain at the heart of the political, legal and social debate within the European Union. At this crucial juncture, marked by the adoption of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, it is essential to analyse both the impact these reforms will have on […]
Debate on the State of the EU: the economy, security, climate change, AI and social media
MEPs discussed the Commission’s work over the past year and the most pressing challenges with President von der Leyen during the annual State of the European Union debate. At the start of the debate, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said: ‘Our Union has always moved forward because there were people willing to […]
The Commission is granting Spain 114.7 million euros and providing enhanced operational assistance to manage the situation in Ceuta
On 9 September, the Commission decided to grant Spain emergency aid of 114.7 million euros to support the management of the situation in Ceuta, following the large-scale illegal border crossings on 30 and 31 July. This financial support comes on top of the Commission’s immediate response from day one, when it offered Spain both financial […]
Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034: The Council agrees on a negotiating position on EU support for migration, border management and internal security
On 15 July, the Council agreed on its partial negotiating position on the regulation establishing EU financial support for migration, border management and visas, and internal security for the period 2028–2034. These financial instruments will help Member States to implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum, ensure the efficient management of the EU’s external borders […]
Stable funding for the priorities set out in the 2027 annual budget
The European Commission has proposed that the EU’s annual budget for 2027 be set at €200 billion (in commitment appropriations). The draft budget also takes into account the conclusions of the mid-term review of cohesion policy for 2021–2027. Member States are encouraged to use these resources for the Union’s new priorities in the areas of […]
The Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force on 12 June
Today, 12 June 2026, thePact on Migration and Asylumwill enter into force in all EU Member States. Adopted in May 2024, the Pact has reformed the EU’s framework on migration and asylum and now forms the centrepiece of the EU’s new approach in this area. For the first time, the EU has a comprehensive migration […]