EU leaders asked the Commission in June to study ways to set up "regional disembarkation platforms" in North African countries, for migrants rescued by European vessels in the Mediterranean. But the demand didn't last long and the EU seems to have quietly lowered its ambitions on migration-control deals with North Africa.
Five aid groups that operate migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean refused to sign up to the Italian government's code of conduct on Monday (31 July), the Interior Ministry said, but three others backed the new rules.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (27 July) unveiled plans to set up migrant registration centres in Libya to help stem an influx that has sparked a crisis in Europe, although his aides said the scheme could not be implemented there immediately for security reasons.
The European Commission on Wednesday (26 July) stepped up its legal case against the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland over their reluctance to take in migrants from other EU countries, after an adviser to the EU's top court dismissed a challenge brought by Slovakia and Hungary.
An EU proposal to impose sanctions on smugglers that bring migrants from Africa was opposed by Russia and China, officials involved in the G20 talks told EURACTIV.
As the G20 summit kicks off in Hamburg (Germany), China's steel overcapacity and the response to North Korea will play an important part in the leaders' discussions.
As the European Parliament adopts its first joint resolution on the Commission work programme to be presented in October, Portuguese MEP Maria João Rodrigues said Juncker must take leadership and restore political dynamism in the EU.
Up to 50 migrants went missing after a large rubber dinghy sank in the Mediterranean Sea, Italian rescuers said on Wednesday (12 August), while more than 1,500 were picked up from other vessels in the past 24 hours.
The European Council will have to make crucial decisions regarding the future of the EU in the fields of migration, asylum and border protection, said Elmar Brok MEP. Otherwise, the Mediterranean will remain the deadliest route on the globe.
European heads of state and government met on Thursday (23 April) in an extraordinary summit to discuss the Mediterranean migrant crisis following mass drownings of migrants off the coast of Libya.
Italian ships have picked up almost 700 migrants in seven inflatable boats and further rescue operations are underway, as calm seas favoured departures from Libya for the Italian coast, the coast guard said on Sunday (12 April).
Human traffickers have started to smuggle migrants to Europe on big ships, a challenge the European Commission was quizzed over its response to today (5 January).
The best way to combat illegal migration is to set up a regular immigration framework and not a "Fortress Europe", according to Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Greek commissioner-designate for migration and home affairs. EURACTIV Greece reports.