Italy's 'nuclear option' on migrants unravels
Media has reported that Italy may issue visas to migrants to allow them to travel further north. But the plan is unlikely to work due to EU rules underpinning such decisions.
Austria readies for migrant border surge
Foreign ministers in Brussels agreed to toughen up measures against Libyan migrant smugglers amid Austrian claims it is ready to "protect" its borders from any sudden mass migrant movements from Italy.
EU backs Italy on NGO rescues
The European Commission has said that the EU and Italy merely want to “better organise” migrant rescues in the Central Mediterranean.
News in Brief
- Polish parliament adopts controversial justice reform
- GMO opt-out plan unlikely to go anywhere in 2017
- Slovak PM threatens to boycott inferior food
- France takes Google's 'right to be forgotten' to EU court
- Turkey accuses German companies of supporting terror
- Israel's Netanyahu caught calling EU 'crazy'
- UK does not collect enough data to expel EU nationals
- Polish president threatens to veto justice reform
EU to scale back Greek asylum aid
The Greek government is set to take over running services provided by EU-funded NGOs for stranded migrants and asylum seekers in August. The lack of clarity and state plans for the transition is raising alarm.
Italy to impose tough rules on NGOs
Italian authorities will release a code of conduct for NGOs, which prevents them, among other things, from entering Libyan territorial waters. A draft copy of the code says NGOs will be banned from Italian ports on failure to comply.
Frontex: Overpacked boats increase death toll at sea
The number of people shuffled onto rubber dinghies from the Libyan coast has doubled in the past two years, rendering the journey even more dangerous.
EU naval mission leads to more migrant drownings, says report
An inquiry by the House of Lords has found that the EU's naval operation, Sophia, has led to more people drowning at sea given the mission's mandate to seize and destroy smuggler boats.
Opinion
Technology and digital banking could help refugees
While many say they seek a solution to the refugee crisis, the answer might be – quite literally – right in front of your face: digital technology.
Opinion
Italy's action against NGOs is wrong
With the code of conduct Italian authorities are trying to impose on NGOs that rescue migrants in the Mediterranean, people would be forced to endure additional days at sea while states tussle over which port to send them too.
Clock ticking on EU migrant quota deadline
EU states are running out of time to comply with migrant relocation quotas on Italy and Greece, the Commission has said.
Italian ports left alone to handle EU migrants
EU countries have declined to help Italy by opening their ports to migrants, but aim to expel more people and impose “rules” on NGO rescues.
Migrant deaths linked to EU operations by NGO
More deaths due to unsafe rubber dinghies after EU naval operation destroyed wooden boats, Amnesty International has said.
EU has 'no silver bullet' for Italy on migrants
A few million euros more and orderly resettlements from Africa could help Italy to cope with migrant arrivals, the EU Commission has said.
Austrian military set to stop Italy migrants
The Austrian military is preparing to stop migrants coming from Italy amid sharpening rhetoric ahead of elections.
Italy imposing new rules on NGO sea rescues
Italy is set to unveil a "code of conduct" for NGOs, while interior ministers from all 28 EU states meet later this week to discuss rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
EU ready to help Italy in NGO dispute
Italy's threat to stop NGOs from unloading rescued migrants at sea will be discussed next week among interior ministers, amid broader internal political stakes ahead of general elections.
Interview
UN: Over half a million children risk dying of hunger
The World Food Programme's new executive director, David Beasley, says some 600,000 children will die in the next few months from famine in four countries.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Jean-Marie Le Pen Faces Trial for Oven Comments About Jewish Singer
- Announces Belt & Road Research at Shanghai Conference
- Food waste in the field can double without crop protection. #WithOrWithout #pesticides
- Estonia Allocates €1 Million to Alleviate Migratory Pressure From Libya in Italy
- Fethullah Gulen's Message on the Anniversary of the Coup Attempt in Turkey
- Weeding out Fake News: An Approach to Social Media Regulation
- EJC Concerned by Normalisation of Antisemitic Tropes in Hungary
- Out for Summer Episode 1: How the EIB Sweeps a Development Fiasco Under the Rug
- CESI to Participate in Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Postal Services
- Malta Keeps on Rocking: Marriage Equality on Its Way
- EuFoA Director and MEPs Comment on the Recent Conflict Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh
- Estonian Presidency Kicks off Youth Programme With Coding Summer School
Latest News
- Dutch coalition talks lengthiest in 40 years
- Polish parliament steps up showdown with EU
- EU urges UK to clarify its Brexit positions
- Law expert: direct EU powers have become too complicated
- Winter is here for Spitzenkandidat, but he'll survive
- Mafia money pollutes the EU economy
- Central Europe should be wary of Brexit stopping
- Poland's 'July coup' and what it means for the judiciary
Italy threatens to block NGO migrant rescues
Italy has said it might stop NGO vessels from disembarking rescued migrants on its territory after a recent surge in arrivals.
EU ringed by human trafficking offenders
The EU is encircled by a ring of the world’s worst offenders on human trafficking, a US state department report has said.
Lack of eligible candidates dogs EU relocation scheme
Member states could fail to meet their refugee quotas even if they wanted to, as strict eligibility rules mean there are few candidates left in Greece and Italy. Sweden is already wondering if it will meet its pledge.
Border management going virtual
EU leaders at a summit in Brussels are set to endorse new border control measures, while the head of a Tallinn-based EU agency predicts a future where border management goes virtual.
Opinion
Merkel, Orban and the not quite closed Balkan route
EU migration policy has had a series of symbolic failures in recent years, but now could be the opportunity to set a new course.
Leaders at EU summit to reinforce Libyan coast guard
Libya's naval coastguard is likely to get a big boost following a meeting on Friday in Brussels among EU heads of state and government.
Turkey received €1bn in EU money to develop democracy
The EU is paying out large sums of money to Turkey amid a government led crackdown on opposition and constitutional changes that concentrate power into the presidency.
Heated words as EU tries to limit Africa migration
EU efforts to help migrants stay put in Africa starting to see "first results", as Austria, Hungary and Germany fall out over how to handle the flows.
Security and defence to top EU summit
Pressure is mounting for social media platforms to remove any online content deemed to incite terrorism. Draft conclusions, seen by EUobserver, have made the issue a top priority in leaders' talks next week.
Czechs pick 'useless' fight with EU on migration
Commission took action against Prague after it said it would stop taking EU asylum seekers, in what some called a "provocation".
Opinion
Forcing refugees on Poland will do more harm than good
While the principle behind the EU's decision to take action against Poland for rejecting its refugee quota is understandable, the move could have damaging long-term consequences while bringing absolutely no benefit at all.
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland face EU sanctions on migrants
Commission has launched legal action over migrant quotas against Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. EU cannot "blackmail" us on who to take in, Hungary said.
EU threatens sanctions in Czech asylum row
The Czech Republic and the European Commission appear to be gearing up for a legal battle following announcements by Prague to suspend the relocation of asylum seekers from Greece and Italy.
Investigation
The discreet banker of Africa development
The European Investment Bank has grown, largely unnoticed, into the world's largest lender and borrower, but who is really in charge is anyone's guess.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- EP Support for Corporate Tax Transparency Principle Unlikely to Pass Reality Check
- European Parliament Improves the External Investment Plan but Significant Challenges Ahead
- PM Ratas: EU Is Not Only an Idea for the 500mn People in the Bloc, It Is Their Daily Reality
- Closer Energy Co-Operation Keeps Nordic Region on Top in Green Energy
- Germany Finally Says Ja - Bundestag Votes for Marriage Equality!
- Japanese and European Public Sector Unions Slam JEFTA
- EU, Young Leaders and Civil Society Join Forces to End Violence Against Girls
- Narrowing the Gaps: The Power of Investing in the Health of the Poorest Children
- Estonia to Surprise Europe With Unique Cultural Programme
- EU-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Talks Should Insist on Ending Reprisals Vs. Critical Voices
- EFA Is Looking for a New Intern
- Conservation of Atlantic Tunas: International Measures Become EU Law
