About: Asylum
Italy no longer among EU’s ‘top 5’ host countries for asylum seekers
For the first time since 2015, asylum applications in the EU started to rise again in 2019. However, Italy is no longer among the main host countries while Germany retains its top spot. EURACTIV Italy reports.
Growing number of Turkish citizens apply for asylum in Germany
Since the attempted coup in Turkey in summer 2016, the number of asylum applications submitted by Turkish citizens in Germany has increased significantly. In 2019, Turkish asylum seekers were the third-most-registered group, after Syrians and Iraqis, according to the country's agency for migration and refugees (BAMF). EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act: Who will benefit?
Germany's new law on the immigration of skilled workers, which aims to provide easier access to the German labour market for qualified workers from non-EU countries, will come into force on 1 March. But some experts believe the new law is insufficient and NGOs consider it ignores those already living in Germany. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Salvini fumes at EU court ruling on refugee returns
Italy’s hardline deputy prime minister reiterated his call to change the EU in reaction to a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that refugees cannot be deported if their life or freedom is at risk in their home countries.
Hungarian opposition denounces Gruevski’s case ‘disgrace’
The leaders of three opposition parties represented in the Hungarian parliament published on Sunday (2 December) an open letter in which they call a “disgrace” the granting by Viktor Orbán of asylum to former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
France adopts controversial asylum and immigration law
France's parliament signed into law a controversial asylum and immigration bill on Wednesday (1 August), despite opposition on the left which decried an effort to limit arrivals while the far right saw the measure as not going far enough.
Right of asylum: Austria’s unsettling proposals to member states
According to an article by French daily Le Monde, Austria, which currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, sent troubling proposals to EU member states to reform the right of asylum. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Verhofstadt threatens to take Council to court for ‘failure to act’ on asylum reform
The European Parliament debated the priorities for Europe on Tuesday, ahead of a crucial EU summit due on 28-29 June. Among those priorities, the reform of the Dublin regulation seems the most pressing and MEPs urged EU leaders to find an agreement on the asylum system.
Migrant rights increasingly flouted in Europe, report says
The European Agency for Fundamental Rights points out in its report five persistent challenges for migration to the EU, from access to territory, to asylum procedures and unaccompanied children.
Spain sounds alarm over fighter influx from Sahel
Spain is worried about security on its southern border due to the possible influx of Islamist fighters to West Africa's Sahel region, Spain's foreign minister told AFP in an interview yesterday (8 February).
Turkey to press for visa-free travel at Varna summit
EU diplomats expect Turkey to press the issue of visa liberalisation during the upcoming summit in Varna on 26 March. It is still unclear if this is a real priority for Ankara or just negotiating tactics as part of a bigger picture.
Turkish asylum applications in Germany jump 55% this year, many rejected
The number of Turks seeking asylum in Germany is up sharply this year and has been rising steadily since last year's failed military coup in Turkey, German government data showed on Monday (18 September).
Visegrád and migration: Few prospects for a change in position
With Slovakia handing over the EU presidency to Malta and agreement on a new EU asylum system out of sight, the Visegrád Group remains in opposed to compulsory refugee relocation. EURACTIV Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, and Budapest's Political Capital, report.
Female genital mutilation: Putting human rights at the core of Europe’s asylum system
Female genital mutilation (FGM) survivors, and women and girls at risk, are particularly vulnerable in the asylum system. They must receive support to help them navigate the process, writes Liuska Sanna.
Germany and Italy to step up repatriations of economic migrants
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed Wednesday (1 September) to step up efforts to send migrants with no right to asylum in Europe back to their homelands.
Schäuble wants to increase cooperation among member states following Brexit
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble wants to deepen cooperation between the 27 remaining European Union countries after Britain quits with measures that include a joint asylum policy, Der Spiegel reported on Friday (1 July).
Correspondent: Refugee crisis has exposed the hypocrisies at the heart of the EU
The European Union’s chaotic and mismanaged response to the refugee crisis has exposed the hypocrisies at the heart of the bloc, says Charlotte McDonald Gibson.
Erdogan warns he will ditch refugee deal if EU breaks promises
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned the European Union on Thursday (7 April) that Ankara would not implement a key deal on reducing the flow of refugees if Brussels fails to fulfil its side of the bargain.
Pope set to visit refugees in Greece as deportations stall
Pope Francis will travel to the Greek island of Lesbos on the frontline of Europe's refugee crisis next week, Athens announced yesterday (5 April), as a controversial EU accord to send migrants back to Turkey stalled.
Greece and Turkey ready first refugee returns under EU deal
Greece is making final preparations to return hundreds of migrants to Turkey, the first to be sent back under a landmark EU deal that has been slammed by human rights watchdogs.
First refugees to be returned to Turkey
Migrant returns from Greece to Turkey will begin on Monday (4 April) under the terms of an EU deal that has worried aid groups, as Athens struggles to manage the overload of desperate people on its soil.
Minister: Greece will process asylum claims in two weeks
Greece will be able to process asylum claims within two weeks, including appeals, once a migration deal between the EU and Turkey takes full effect, a senior Greek official said on Tuesday (29 March).
EU to use overseas aid for refugee crisis at home
The European Commission will this week propose using funds usually earmarked for catastrophes outside the bloc to provide aid to EU countries affected by the migrant crisis, a spokeswoman said Monday (29 February).