European Commission discusses draft Schengen Evaluation Report on GreeceBrussels, 27 January 2016The College of Commissioners has today, in view of the findings and their significance, taken note and discussed a draft Schengen Evaluation Report on Greece. The Schengen evaluation mechanism, established in October 2013, provides for the verification of the application of the Schengen rules through monitoring visits to a given Member State by Commission-led teams with experts from Member States and Frontex. The draft Schengen evaluation report for Greece, drawn up jointly by Member States experts and Commission representatives, will now be sent to the Schengen Evaluation Committee which will give its opinion. The report will then be adopted by the Commission by means of an implementing act.Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “If we want to maintain our internal area of free movement, we must better manage our external borders. This means that we will only save Schengen by applying Schengen. The Commission continuously monitors the implementation of the Schengen rules in all Schengen Member States. The draft Schengen evaluation report on Greece looks at the management of the external border during an evaluation visit of Member States and Commission experts in Greece in November. The report shows that there are serious deficiencies in the management of the external border in Greece. We know that in the meantime Greece has started undertaking efforts towards rectifying and complying with the Schengen rules. Substantial improvements are needed to ensure the proper reception, registration, relocation or return of migrants in order to bring Schengen functioning back to normal, without internal border controls. This is our ultimate common goal.”The draft report – which is not public – is based on unannounced site visits to the Greek-Turkish land border and to Chios and Samos conducted from 10 to 13 November 2015. The report looks at the presence of police and coast guard personnel on the inspected sites, the efficiency of the identification and registration process, sea border surveillance and cooperation with neighbouring countries. Whilst acknowledging that the Greek authorities are under pressure, the report notably finds that there is no effective identification and registration of irregular migrants and that fingerprints are not being systematically entered into the system and travel documents are not being systematically checked for the authenticity or against crucial security databases, such as SIS, Interpol and national databases. On this basis, the draft report concludes that Greece is seriously neglecting its obligations and that there are serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border controls that must be overcome and dealt with by the Greek authorities.Schengen Evaluation MechanismSchengen evaluations are carried out in Member States based on a multi-annual and an annual evaluation programme. Such visits can be announced or unannounced.Following each visit, a report is drawn up identifying any shortcomings and making recommendations for remedial action, with a deadline for their implementation. The recommendations are submitted by the Commission to the Council for adoption. As a follow-up, the Member State in question is required to submit an action plan setting out how it intends to remedy the weaknesses identified. Member States can be assisted in fulfilling the recommendations via practical and/or financial measures from the Commission, Frontex or other EU bodies.The Eighth bi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area of 15 December 2015 already announced that, depending on the results of the Schengen evaluations in Greece, specific measures as referred to in Article 19a and 26 of the Schengen Borders Code may be recommended.Procedures addressing exceptional circumstancesIf a Schengen Evaluation Report concludes that the evaluated Member State is “seriously neglecting its obligations under the Schengen rules” and if there are “serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border control”, the Commission can propose recommendations, to be adopted by the Council, for remedial action to address any deficiencies identified during the evaluation. In order to ensure compliance with these recommendations, the Commission may, under Article 19a of the Schengen Borders Code, recommend that the evaluated Member State take certain specific measures, which may include the deployment of European border guard teams or the submission of a strategic plan setting out how the Member State will deploy its own personnel and equipment to address the concerns. The Commission’s proposals must be adopted by a Committee of the Member States, acting by qualified majority. The evaluated Member State then has three months to complete the remedial actions.Where, after three months, serious deficiencies persist and the measures taken have not proved sufficient to ensure the adequate remedy of these deficiencies, the Commission may trigger the application of the procedure provided for in Article 26 of the Schengen Borders Code.Under Article 26 of the Schengen Borders Code, if the measures under Article 19a have not been effective, the Council may, based on a proposal from Commission, recommend that one or more Member States reintroduce border controls at all or at specific parts of their internal borders as a matter of last resort, to protect the common interest of the Schengen area. The Council recommendation needs to be adopted by qualified majority.Under Article 26, and in the exceptional circumstances described above, controls can be reintroduced for a period of up to six months. This measure can be prolonged for additional six month periods up to a maximum duration of two years.For More Information:The Schengen Border CodeEight biannual report on the functioning of the Schengen area (15 December 2015)The Schengen Evaluation and Monitoring MechanismDirectorate-General for Home Affairs website
Protecting the Rights of Victims of Trafficking Focus of Regional Conference in Brussels“Protecting the Rights of Victims of Trafficking for the Safe and Sustainable Return and Reintegration Process” was the topic of a regional conference organized in Brussels by IOM’s Regional Office and IOM France on 21 January. The event attracted 55 experts from European Union (EU) institutions and agencies, including EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Myria Vassiliadou, EU member states and third countries, together with representatives from civil society and partner organizations. The conference focused on the protection of the victims of trafficking and their rights, in particular during the return and reintegration process, as part of two EU-funded projects implemented in the framework of the 2012-2016 EU Anti-Trafficking Strategy.The two projects are: CARE (Coordinated Approach for the Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking returning voluntarily from Austria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom); and TACT (Transnational Action – Safe and sustainable return of Victims of Trafficking returning from France, Greece, Italy, Poland and Spain to Priority Countries : Albania, Morocco and Ukraine.) The meeting brought together countries of destination, transit and origin to take stock of the achievements and challenges in the area of victim protection, based on the experience of CARE and TACT. Key topics discussed included the early identification of victims, trafficking in children and ways to further intensify the efforts to protect children victims of trafficking or those at risk of being exploited. The importance of putting in place functioning coordination mechanisms linking stakeholders involved in protection and assistance at national and transnational levels was also highlighted.“Around half of EU member states have now formalized national referral mechanisms, to coordinate the actors involved in identification, protection and assistance, including health, justice, employment, law enforcement and border guards, consular and social services. It is in this spirit, and having a victim-centred approach, that the European Commission wants to ensure that we have a model for an EU transnational referral mechanism. I am assured that the IOM is the best placed organization to do that,” said EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Vassiliadou.The IOM report Enhancing the Safety and Sustainability of the Return and Reintegration of VoTs, drafted in the framework of CARE and TACT projects, was launched during the conference, and presents the recommendations drawn from their implementation, as well as reflections on the way forward towards functioning national and transnational referral mechanisms for improved victim protection.
IOM: Migrant Arrivals in Greece Top 45,000 through January 25
Since the beginning of 2016, IOM estimates that 45,361 migrants and refugees have arrived in Greece by sea. This is roughly 31 times as many as the 1,472 recorded by the Greek Coast Guard for the whole of January 2015.
Some 90 percent of the new arrivals are from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan – the three countries whose nationals are allowed to pass freely from Greece into the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRoM) en route to Western Europe.
According to IOM’s Early Warning Information Sharing Network, implemented by IOM missions in Greece and the Western Balkans, an estimated 38,876 Syrians, Iraqis and Afghanis crossed into FYRoM in the two weeks ending January 21st, nearly 47 percent fewer than in the preceding two weeks.
IOM Greece also helped almost 400 stranded economic migrants to return home to their countries of origin as part of its Assisted Voluntary Return program. Most of the migrants were from Morocco, Iran and Georgia.
But the death toll in the Mediterranean continues to rise. With a series of shipwreck fatalities since Friday, IOM has tracked over 150 deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean this year, along with 19 more in the Central Mediterranean, bringing the total number of deaths in 2016 to 177. Last year at this time there were fewer than 77.
The journey from the Turkish coast to the Greek islands continues to be the deadliest route. The Greek Coast Guard reported that at least 45 migrants lost their lives in three incidents off Lesbos (20/01), Farmakonisi (21/01) and Kalolymnos (21/01). They included 18 children.
IOM has also seen increased activity in the Central Mediterranean in the past week. On Sunday 723 migrants were rescued at sea and brought to the Italian port of Trapani. One body was also brought ashore.
IOM, UNHCR, Partners Seek USD 550 Million for Europe’s Refugees and Migrants
As continuing conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere drives people to seek refuge in Europe, IOM, UNHCR and some 65 other organizations yesterday appealed in Geneva to donors for USD550 million to support the ongoing humanitarian response.
With global forced displacement at a record high of some 60 million people and increasingly impacting countries of the Global North, 2015 saw over a million refugees and migrants arriving in Europe by boat.
Around 850,000 of these crossed from Turkey to Greece, with most continuing through the Balkans and towards Austria, Germany, Sweden and other western European countries.
The appeal aims at funding humanitarian operations in 2016 across the affected countries, with approximately half of the funds allocated for Greece.
Humanitarian operations will include aid and protection activities where people are arriving, including identifying those at heightened risk, registration, shelter, water and sanitation to bolster the capacity of frontline responders, including coastguards, border guards, police and support for affected communities. Help with relocation, resettlement and other regular solutions was also part of the appeal.
For information on the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Europe: Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route open here: http://rmrp-europe.unhcr.org/.
On the picture Governor of the Province of Liège-Luik-Lüttich, Hervé Jamar and French Ambassador Claude-France Arnould.
Friday, 15 January 2016, City of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium: French Ambassador to Belgium, HE Mme Claude-France Arnould paid a courtesy visit with a diplomatic delegation to the newly appointed governor of the Province of Liège, M Hervé Jamar as well as the members of his Provincial Council. Ambassador Arnould took the apportunity to meet up with representatives of the private sector such as TechSpace Aero (Groupe Safran), CMI Group as well as the executive managers of the Chamber of Commerce France-Belgique-Wallonie. For more information:Province of Liège and its governor: www.provincedeliege.be/fr/gouverneurExternal Affairs of Liège: www.provincedeliege.be/home/5
42nd edition of the Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition – Picture by BACA.
The Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, in its 42nd edition, celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of the locally based artists. Every year, the art community gathers to present their finest work, uninhibited by a subject or theme. The result is a colourful display of styles, techniques, through different mediums of expression.
Under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, the exhibition this year from January 21th to March 20 presents a collection of Bahraini innovation.
The Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition is a space which grows year after year, affording people room to question and search.
Investing in culture and art is among the important tools used by countries vying for more development and progress, given its crucial role in building competencies and motivating them to work, HRH The Premier said.
Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) President, Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, said that with the celebration of this year under the slogan ” Your Destination Bahrain”, the 42nd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition would provides a new opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s rich cultural experience and outstanding artistic creativity, and promote fine art to be among the destinations in which the kingdom is investing to bring about a sustainable development that upgrades the cultural infrastructure and makes culture as a human means of communication and a discourse that reaches all.
Honorary President of the Bahrain Arts Society, HE Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to his father-in-law and uncle, HRH The Prime Minister for his annual patronage of the Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition. In the view of Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa, The Premier’s patronage and support encourages Bahraini artists and enables them to reach the world.
Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa the Ambassador of Bahrain, before he presents his Letters of Credence at a private audience in Buckingham Palace, in central London.
Whereas in London, Bahrain’s ambassador to St. James’s Court, HE Minister (ret). Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa presented credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He is due to be accredited as non-resident head of mission to Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway.
Following Bahraini protocol Ambassador Sheikh Fawaz Al Khalifa presented the greetings to Queen Elizabeth II from HM King Hamad II bin Isa Al Khalifa, from His Royal Highness the Premier, Prince Khalifa bin Salman and Khalifa and of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
On the picture Grand Ducal Couple greeting Speaker Mars di Bartolomeo .
Their Royal Highnesses The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg as well as the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple of Guillaume and Stéphanie hosted institutional audiences for Luxembourgian dignitaries at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City last week.
In the first place arrived the Speaker of Parliament, Mars di Bartolomeo and the members of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies followed by the audience for The Honourable Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel and subsequently the members of the Grand Ducal Government.
Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple, Grand Ducal Couple and Marshall of the Court Lucien Weiler greeting PM Xavier Bettel – Picture by SIP – Charles Caratini.
On 13 January a reception was hosted for the President and the Bureau of the State Council, the representatives of the national institutions, the heads of diplomatic missions residing in the Grand Duchy, the representatives of EU institutions based in Luxembourg as well as the staff of the Grand Ducal Household.
For more information:
The Luxembourgian Monarchy: www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2016/01/12012016-aud-nvelan/index.html
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the Netherlands: http://lahaye.mae.lu/
Photography: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen – Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg
President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo with US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle – Picture by White House.The European Parliament in Strasbourg ratified on January 21th the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo.According to the counted ballots 486 MEPs were in favour, 102 against, with 81 abstained from the ratification. EP rapporteur for Kosovo, Austrian MEP Ulrike Lunacek uttered that the SAA “should come into effect immediately, which would be a very positive signal for the citizens and for commerce in Kosovo”.Kosovo and the EU signed the SAA on 27 October 2015, which the Kosovo Assembly ratified it on 2 November 2015. Kosovar President Atifete Jahjaga and Assembly President Kadri Veseli hailed the ratification as “an important signal for Kosovo’s admission into the EU and a great political victory for Kosovo.”For more information:Embassy of Kosovo to The Netherlands, Mission to the OPCW (HE Ambassador Dr. Vjosa Dobruna): http://www.ambasada-ks.net/nl/?page=2,1Mission of Kosovo to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg (HE Ambassador Dr. Mimoza Ahmetaj): http://www.ambasada-ks.net/be/?page=4,1
On the picture President Tusk, Ambassador Rami Mortada and PM Saeb Salam of Lebanon – Picture by EU.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister (and Acting President) Tammam Saeb Salam paid a visit to the EU institutions in Brussels on January 21th, to discuss the ongoing refugee crisis as well relations vis-à-vis the EU. He was received by President Donald Tusk.
Salam is Lebanon’s 68th Prime Minister in office since 15 February 2014. Moreover he serves as the country’s Head of State as the political parties have yet to agree on a president since May 2014.
EU-Lebanese relations are laid down in the Association Agreement which was adopted in 2002, and entered into force on 1 April 2006. It opened the way to fully incorporate Lebanon into the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
Ambassador Arnould took the apportunity to meet up with representatives of the private sector such as TechSpace Aero (Groupe Safran), CMI Group as well as the executive managers of the Chamber of Commerce France-Belgique-Wallonie.
For more information:
Province of Liège and its governor: www.provincedeliege.
