Frontex leadership candidates grilled by MEPs
Terezija Gras from Croatia, Dutchman Hans Leijtens, and Frontex's current interim executive director Aija Kalnaja, are all competing for a job left vacant by the resignation of Fabrice Leggeri.
Sweden says 'no' to EU asylum relocation pledges
Sweden won't make any pledges to relocate asylum seekers under a French-inspired EU plan because there is no legal basis, says Sweden's ambassador to the EU. But Sweden's new right-wing government is also tightening migration rules.
EU leadership rehash old ideas to save migrant lives at sea
EU leadership on Wednesday (23 November) rehashed decade-old statements on the importance of saving lives in the Mediterranean Sea. But the statements appear increasingly hollow after over 25,000 deaths since 2014.
News in Brief
- 'Pro-Kremlin group' in EU Parliament cyberattack
- Ukraine will decide on any peace talks, Borrell says
- Germany blocks sale of chip factory to Chinese subsidiary
- Strikes and protests over cost-of-living grip Greece, Belgium
- Liberal MEPs want Musk quizzed in parliament
- Bulgarian policeman shot dead at Turkish border
- 89 people allowed to disembark in Italy, aid group says
- UN chief tells world: Cooperate on climate or perish
EU Commission suggests need for new charity rescue boat rules
EU Commission says it has no proposal and is not the competent authority, but that talks with the International Maritime Organisation are needed to create "specific framework and guidelines" for NGO boats rescuing people and bringing them to European shores.
Opinion
EU should help, not worsen, the refugee crisis in Libya
As MEPs debate the situation in Libya in the plenary for the first time in four years, the International Rescue Committee's Libya director says the EU must act now to prevent the country spiralling further into chaos.
Spain accused of Melilla migrant death cover up
Spanish authorities are being accused of a cover up over the deaths of dozens of refugees at its Melilla enclave with Morocco. Some 23 were confirmed dead and another 77 remain missing after around 1,500 tried to enter the enclave.
Ocean Viking mentally preps for another Italian standoff
The Ocean Viking operated by SOS Mediterranee is mentally preparing for a new lengthy standoff with Italy's right wing government. Louise Guillaumat, its deputy director of operations, told EUobserver that the ship will soon be heading out to sea.
EU calls for 'firm' Belarus border control by Poland
A dead body in a freezing river, spinal injuries after falling off a wall, a pregnant woman given a punishment beating after being forced back — this is what's happening on the EU's eastern border.
Paris-Rome spat exposes EU 'solidarity' rift on asylum
The European Commission says solidarity on migration remains — despite Paris refusing to relocate some 3,500 asylum seekers from Italy under a French EU presidency-inspired proposal to distribute thousands of people across member states.
Europol given 'blank cheque' to do what it wants, say critics
Rule of law questions are mounting against the EU's police agency Europol, following a recent expansion of powers amid data abuse scandals. Those powers include the processing and analysis of data of innocent people with no links to any crime.
Opinion
New deregulation will see EU states cherry-picking asylum law
Through a mechanism to be discussed on Wednesday, member states would permanently be able to derogate at will from their obligations under EU asylum law — de fact creating a cherry-picking system between EU member states.
Italian stand-off with rescue boats, as conditions worsen
The stand-off with Italy's far-right government continues — as four charity vessel ships seek to disembark those had rescued at sea. The stalemate comes as another 500 people need rescuing.
EU Commission cannot stop Italy banning rescue boats
The European Commission says it is powerless to stop Italy from banning charity rescue boats entering its territorial waters. The statement follows moves by the new government under Georgia Meloni to further crack down on the Mediterranean Sea rescues.
NGOs tell Athens that Turkey is not safe for refugees
NGOs say Athens should no longer consider Turkey as a safe place to return asylum seekers, citing a European Commission report that highlights likely abuse and violations.
EU anti-Muslim hatred post still vacant
An EU office for combatting anti-Muslim hatred has stood empty for over a year, in what risks smelling of neglect.
Czech EU presidency proposes annual asylum relocation figure
The Czech EU presidency is proposing an annual minimum on the number of asylum seekers EU states are willing to relocate. The idea is part of bigger discussion on solidarity sharing, a concept that has long eluded member states.
Serbia set to "significantly align itself with EU visa policy"
Serbia last week scrapped its visa free regime with Tunisia and Burundi amid EU pressure. Now it may end up culling more nations from its visa free regime as it seeks to align itself with EU visa policy.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- COP27: Food systems transformation for climate action
- The Nordic Region and the African Union urge the COP27 to talk about gender equality
- Join CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
- Gender x Geopolitics: Shaping an Inclusive Foreign Security Policy for Europe
- The Obama Foundation Opens Applications for its Leaders Program in Europe
- A lot more needs to be done to better protect construction workers from asbestos
Latest News
- EU Commission proposes suspending billions to Hungary
- EU: Russian assets to be returned in case of peace treaty
- Frontex leadership candidates grilled by MEPs
- Portugal was poised to scrap 'Golden Visas' - why didn't it?
- Why the EU asbestos directive revision ... needs revising
- Nato renews membership vow to Ukraine
- Catalan spyware victims demand justice
- Is the overwhelming critique of Qatar hypocritical?
Turkey beating Syrian refugees back to Syria, says rights NGO
Turkey has beaten and forced hundreds of recognised Syrian refugees back into Syria, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch. "We wrote hundreds but I imagine it's maybe the tip of the iceberg," said one of its researchers.
'Slap in the face': European Parliament refuses to endorse Frontex budget
The European Parliament refused to endorse the EU's border police Frontex, following numerous reports of abuse under its previous leadership. The vote saw MEPs declining to grant the agency discharge for its 2020 annual budget.
Leaked report: Frontex compared rights officer to 'Khmer Rouge'
A confidential report into the EU's border agency Frontex has been leaked in full by German transparency campaigners FragDenStaat and German media outlet Der Spiegel.
EU under scrutiny for bankrolling surveillance in Africa
A verdict is expected soon on the EU Commission over projects it financed to help sketchy governments abroad spy on people, which could then be used against rights defenders, journalists, and dissidents.
Ukrainians to get EU protection until March 2024
The EU has extended by one year the special protection status for Ukrainian refugees, as Russia carries out country-wide rocket attacks.
Frontex confirms chief read Olaf report, but still keeps Greek operations
Frontex says it will not comment on the content of investigation carried out by the EU's anti-fraud office Olaf — but acknowledges that its new leadership has read the report. And it denies any wrongdoing of its operations in Greece.
Czech EU presidency wants asylum pledges to be secret
The Czech concept comprises an annual migration management report, a permanent EU migration support toolbox, an annual solidarity pool, and an EU migration forum.
Opinion
EU leaders have until Friday for refugee resettlement pledges
EU commissioner Ylva Johansson's words on refugee protection were welcome. But, worryingly, the commitments made by EU leaders at the forum have not translated into action. There is still time for them to save face — but it's running out.
Meloni's navy-blockade plan to stop Libya migrants 'unlikely'
Italy's new prime minster-in-waiting, Giorgia Meloni, wants to set up a naval blockade to prevent migrants and asylum seekers fleeing Libya. The idea is unlikely to see the light of day.
Finnish border guards will allow fleeing Russians to enter
Finland says there has not yet been a dramatic increase in Russian nationals trying to enter Finland from Russia, noting just over 4,800 Russian nationals crossed the land border on the day of Vladimir Putin's announcement of the draft.
EU asylum in doubt for Russians fleeing army draft
Russians fleeing a military draft won't get into Estonia or Latvia, posing questions what Finland, Lithuania, and Poland would do if there is a large exodus.
EU migration and asylum pact faces reality check
The EU wants to finalise the overhaul of the migration and asylum laws before the end of the current mandate in 2024. But big issues on solidarity remain unsolved, including in the European Parliament.
UN aid official : 'Don't forget women of Yemen'
Authorities in northern Yemen have been accused of 'Talibanisation' by a senior UN refugee agency official — following repressive restrictions on Yemeni female aid workers.
Legal doubt over Baltic ban on Russian tourists
Baltic states are to ban all Russian tourists in some 10 days' time, but Nordic countries are not joining the move amid uncertainty over its legality.
EU mulls 'specialised teams' to counter migration abroad
The EU is exploring ways to further crack down on irregular migration at its overseas missions, including the use of "specialised teams". Such missions are found in places like Niger, Libya, Mali, Somali, Iraq and elsewhere.
Czechs pushing EU law on Belarus-type migrant storms
Belarus and Russia could once again use migrants to try to "destabilise" EU countries, Prague has warned, amid preparations to curb people's asylum rights in future emergencies.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Re-Watch EURegions Week 2022
- Call for EU action – SMEs in the beverage industry call for fairer access to recycled material
- Nordic prime ministers: “We will deepen co-operation on defence”
- Construction workers can check wages and working conditions in 36 countries
- Nordic and Canadian ministers join forces to combat harmful content online
- European Anti-SLAPP Conference 2022