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European Migration Network (EMN)

2007/0167(CNS)

PURPOSE: to establish a European Migration Network ("EMN")

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2008/381/EC establishing a European Migration Network.

CONTENT: the Council adopted this Decision establishing a European migration network. The Decision formally establishes the network - already launched in 2003 as a pilot project – and gives it a legal basis. 

Objective: the objective of the EMN is to meet the information needs of Community institutions and of Member States’ authorities and institutions on migration and asylum, by providing up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum, with a view to supporting policymaking in the EU in these areas. The EMN will also serve to provide the general public with information on these subjects.

Tasks: these are the following:

a)      collect and exchange up-to-date and reliable data and information from a wide range of sources;

b)      undertake analysis of the data and information referred to in point (a) and provide it in a readily accessible format;

c)      in collaboration with other relevant EU bodies, contribute to the development of indicators and criteria that will improve the consistency of information and help in the development of Community activities related to migratory statistics;

d)     produce and publish periodic reports on the migration and asylum situation in the Community and the Member States;

e)      create and maintain an Internet-based information exchange system which provides access to relevant documents and publications in the area of migration and asylum;

f)       raise awareness of the EMN, by providing access to the information it gathers and disseminating the output of the EMN, unless this information is of a confidential nature;

g)      coordinate information and cooperate with other relevant European and international bodies.

The EMN shall ensure that its activities are consistent and coordinated with the relevant Community instruments and structures in the area of migration and asylum.

Composition: the EMN is composed of National Contact Points designated by the Member States, and the Commission.

It will be guided by a Steering Board composed of one representative from each Member State and one representative of the Commission, assisted by two scientific experts. The representative of the Commission shall act as Chair of the Steering Board. A representative of the European Parliament may participate as an observer at the meetings of the Steering Board.

The Steering Board shall in particular:

  • contribute to the preparation of and approve the EMN's annual programme of activities, including an indicative amount of the minimum and maximum budget for each National Contact Point, which ensures that the basic costs arising from the proper functioning of the Network;
  • review progress made by the EMN, making recommendations for necessary actions when required;
  • provide a succinct status report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions concerning the ongoing activities of the EMN and the key findings of its studies, at least once a year;
  • identify the most appropriate strategic cooperative relationships with other entities competent in the area of migration and asylum and approve, when necessary, the administrative arrangements for such cooperation;
  • advise the National Contact Points on how to improve their operations, and help them to take the necessary actions, when identified persistent shortcomings in the work of a National Contact Point may have negative consequences on the work of the EMN.

National Contact Points: each Member State shall designate one entity which shall act as its National Contact Point (composed of at least three experts). Member States must take into account, when necessary, the need for coordination between their representative in the Steering Board and their National Contact Point.

Information exchange system: an Internet-based information exchange system, accessible through a dedicated website, is established. The content of the information exchange system will normally be public. The system will comprise at least the following elements:

a)      access to Community and national legislation, case law and policy developments in the areas of migration and asylum;

b)      a functionality for ad-hoc requests;

c)      a migration and asylum glossary and thesaurus;

d)     direct access to all EMN's publications, including reports and studies, as well as a regular newsletter;

e)      a directory of researchers and research institutions in the area of migration and asylum.

Reports and studies: each National Contact Point shall provide every year a report describing the migration and asylum situation in the Member State, which shall include policy developments and statistical data. The annual programme of activities will include the preparation by each National Contact Point of other studies, following common specifications, covering specific migration and asylum-related issues necessary for the support of policymaking.

Cooperation with other entities: the EMN will cooperate with entities in the Member States or in third countries, including EU agencies and international organisations, competent in the field of migration and asylum. The administrative arrangements for the cooperation, which may include when necessary the conclusion by the Commission of agreements on behalf of the Community, will be subject to the approval of the Steering Board.

Review: no later than three years after the entry into force of this Decision, and every three years thereafter, the Commission shall present a report, based on an external and independent evaluation, on the development of the EMN. The report shall be accompanied, if necessary, by proposals for amendments.

Territorial measures: Ireland and Denmark will not take part in the adoption of this Decision. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has notified its wish to take part in the adoption and application of this Decision.

It should be noted that the Council did not accept the main amendments adopted by the European Parliament which aimed to change the name of the organisation from European Migration Network to European Migration and Asylum Network and to provide it with more tasks in the area of asylum.

DATE OF APPLICATION: from 21/05/2008.