Justice & Home Affairs
Report: Western Balkans route not closed, just diverted via Bulgaria
A report by a German think tank reveals the deficiencies of the deal with Turkey to stem the flow of refugees to Europe. Migration is on the menu of the two-day summit starting today (22 June).
Macron reaffirms hope for EU ahead of first summit
On the eve of his first European summit (22-23 June), French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his belief in a Europe capable of transforming the world with France as a driving force.
Hungary’s law calls for more transparency for NGOs receiving foreign money
In a recent EURACTIV.com interview, the director of the George Soros-funded European Policy Institute makes the incorrect claim that Hungary’s new legislation on NGO transparency is “discriminatory” and is closing the space for dissenting opinions, writes Zoltán Kovács.
Italian PM calls Brexit a ‘tough wake-up call’ ahead of EU summit
Ahead of this week’s European summit, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni told the country’s Senate that the Brexit vote was not a catastrophe for the European Union but serves as a tough wake-up call. Class EURACTIV Italy reports.
Starbucks set to hire 2,500 refugees in Europe
US coffee chain Starbucks Corp said yesterday (20 June) it will hire 2,500 refugees in Europe as part of a wider worldwide hiring plan, months after the policy prompted a backlash from some customers.
Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria ‘presidency trio’ outlines priorities
Ministers representing the incoming Estonian, Bulgarian and Austrian presidencies of the Council of the EU outlined on Tuesday (20 June) their priorities, which seem to differ substantially.
Say yes to human mobility and no to Fortress Europe
EU leaders will this week meet to agree, once more, on ways to keep migrants out of the EU. Out of sight may be out of mind but such a policy is only encouraging the deaths and suffering of tens of thousands of people, warns Leila Bodeux.
World Refugee Day inspires calls to EU leaders ahead of summit
The UN's World Refugee Day is held every year on 20 June. This year, politicians and NGOs issued messages to EU leaders ahead of a summit on 22-23 June, which will partly focus on measures to stem the migration flow on the Central Mediterranean route.
EU ministers pledge more efforts for Africa partnership
EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg Monday (19 June) committed to working closely with their African partners for an “ambitious and successful” EU-Africa summit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 29 and 30 November, with “Investing in Youth” as the central theme.Faced with an unprecedented migration crisis, ministers devoted part of their time in an effort to …
Orbán: No chance for single EU migration policy
Hungary's populist prime minister said Monday (19 June) that he sees no chance for a single EU-wide migration policy, just days after the bloc launched legal action against Budapest for refusing refugees under a controversial solidarity plan.
Kosovo lurches to nationalism as Brussels lets down its friends
Elections in the West Balkans are never easy. Federica Mogherini might consider intervening now on the side of the pro-European forces in Kosovo, writes Denis MacShane.
Libya, a smuggling hypermarket
Powerless against the disarray and growing anarchy that spreads around smuggling - of oil, gasoline, weapons and people - Hasan Dhawadi, mayor of the Libyan city of Sabratha, raised the alarm.
Polish PM under fire for using Auschwitz to make Poles fear refugees
Poland's prime minister came under heavy fire yesterday (14 June) for appearing to defend her right-wing government's anti-migrant policy during a memorial service at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German death camp.
Commission should launch infringement procedure against UK for abuse of EU free movement rights
Mattia Bosio and Mauro Striano argue that the European Commission should sanction the UK for criminalising homelessness as a way to avoid its obligations regarding free movement in the EU.
Spain’s handling of the Cayuco boat crisis
Almost a decade before the deaths of 360 people in a shipwreck in Lampedusa, Italy, shook the world's collective conscience about migration in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands - another southern European border - faced a similar challenge.
Romanian ex-president accused of ‘crimes against humanity’ over 1990 protest crackdown
Ion Iliescu and 13 other officials have been ordered to stand trial on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the crackdown on a Bucharest protest in 1990, the prosecutor's office said yesterday (13 June).
Macron tells May ‘door always open’ for UK to stay in EU
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (13 June) the door was "always open" for Britain to remain in the EU despite Prime Minister Theresa May saying Brexit talks would begin next week.
Rome’s 5 Star mayor calls to halt migrants’ flow into city
Rome's scandal-plagued Mayor, Virginia Raggi, a prominent member of the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, has asked the government not to send any more asylum seekers to the capital, saying it is already groaning under the strain.
EU opens sanctions procedure against Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic over refugees
The EU launched legal action yesterday (13 June) against Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic for refusing to take in their share of refugees under a controversial solidarity plan.
Frontex chief: Migrant influx shifting but no let-up
The migrants pouring into Europe have changed routes: the crossing between Turkey and Greece is practically closed, but ever greater numbers are risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean between Libya and Italy.
Trump and Iohannis disagree on whether they discussed visa issue
US President Donald Trump appeared to contradict his visiting Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, when asked by a journalist if they had discussed the continuing visa requirements for the citizens of some EU countries, including Romania.
Ukrainians cheer on first day of visa-free EU travel
Ukrainians on Sunday (11 June) celebrated the first day of visa-free access to the European Union, with thousands crossing the border as President Petro Poroshenko proclaimed a dramatic "exit" from Moscow's grip.
Twenty EU countries sign off on new anti-fraud prosecutor
The European Commission welcomed on Thursday (June 8) a decision by 20 member states, including heavyweights Germany and France, to set up an independent EU public prosecutor's office which will combat cross-border tax evasion and fraud in the bloc.
Facebook has started fighting hatred, but attacks on Muslims and Jews remain common
Facebook and YouTube are upping their fight against hate content. However, almost every other hate post is targeted against Muslims or migrants, and every tenth against Jews. EURACTIV Czech Republic partner Aktuálně reports.