The EU is committed to helping those in need, and has agreed on a range of measures to ensure protection and adequate reception conditions that respect human rights.

This is what Europe does to protect refugees that have fled war or political oppression in their own countries

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

EP President Roberta Metsola, addresses the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the European Union, during a New Year's Reception

EP President Metsola addresses the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the European Union

EP President Metsola have an audience with his Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians, followed by a New Year’s Reception.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President attends the New Year's reception hosted by Philippe, King of the Belgians

EP New Year Reception

New Year reception at the Belgian Royal Palace for European Authorities

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Speech at the Reception hosted by the World Jewish Congress

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Tokyo (Japan) - G7 Speakers’ meeting Welcome reception

European Parliamentary Week 2023 - Reception

Reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland's accession to the European Union

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Dublin - Address and Reception of the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the Philosophical Society of Dublin University, Trinity College

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Spain - Keynote address and reception of the award “Woman of the Year” at the Women in a Legal World conference

Roberta METSOLA, EP President attends to the King of the Belgians' New Year's reception

Final trilogue on Reception Conditions Directive

Quaestor's reception

David SASSOLI, EP President participates at the reception with Jeanne BARSEGHIAN, Mayor of Strasbourg

Reception ahead of the Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - David Maria SASSOLI, EP President welcomes Anita Lasker-Wallfish, world famous cellist, and surviving member of the Women's Orchestra in Auschwitz and Liliana SEGRE, Senator for life, Senato della Repubblica, survivor of Auschwitz

Reception ahead of the Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Reception ahead of the Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - David Maria SASSOLI, EP President welcomes Liliana SEGRE, Senator for life, Senato della Repubblica, survivor of Auschwitz

EP President's New Years Reception

Ambassador's New Year Reception

Statement by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

Order of business

Votes on requests for urgent procedure (Rule 163)

Voting time

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković (debate)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 June 2022, including the meeting with Western Balkan leaders on 23 June - Candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia (debate)

Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (debate)

Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

Inclusion measures within Erasmus+ 2014-2020 (debate)

2021 Report on Montenegro (debate)

Future of EU-Africa trade relations (debate)

Future of EU international investment policy (short presentation)

Draft amending budget No 3/2022: financing reception costs of people fleeing Ukraine (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting 

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast) - Application for international protection lodged in a Member State by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast version) - Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints - Granting and withdrawing international protection (recast) (debate)

European Refugee Fund for the period 2008-2013 (amendment of Decision No 573/2007/EC) - Minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers (recast) - Application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by third-country nationals or stateless persons (recast) - Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints (recast) - Establishment of a European Asylum Support Office (debate)

MEPs vote on the following topics: Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure implementing the parliamentary reform “Parliament 2024”; Common procedure for international protection in the Union; Addressing situations of crisis in the field of migration and asylum; Asylum and migration management; Establishing a return border procedure, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1148; Screening of third country nationals at the external borders; European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals; Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013; Union Resettlement Framework; Standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection; and Standards for the reception of applicants for international protection.

Voting Session: Migration and Asylum package

Sophie IN ’T VELD (RE, NL), rapporteur for the Reception conditions directive, Fabienne KELLER (RE, FR), rapporteur for the Asylum procedure regulation, Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI), rapporteur for the Qualification regulation, and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), rapporteur for Eurodac speak to the press on Migration Pact files. On Wednesday, Parliament is set to give its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules will ensure responsibility sharing among member states in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs will review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD (RE, NL), Fabienne KELLER (RE, FR), Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI) and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians, and participates in a reception hosted by Him in the Royal Palace. This news item shows extracts from the bilateral meeting and reception attended by President Metsola.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President attends the New Year's reception hosted by Philippe, King of the Belgians with EP Vice-Presidents and Questors

During her official visit to New York (United States of America), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, visits the Columbia University. She addresses the World Leader Forum and exchanges with participants. She also participates at a reception hosted by the World Jewish Congress at the Neue Galerie.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (USA): extracts from the the visit at the Columbia University and the reception by the World Jewish Congress

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in a reception hosted by His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians for the 70th Anniversary of the European Parliament. The Bureau of the EP and the Chairs of the Committees are also invited. Extracts from the reception and from the speeches by King Philippe and Roberta Metsola.

Reception hosted by His Majesty the King of the Belgians on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the European Parliament: arrivals and extracts from the address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

After Brussels, a Civil Liberties Committee delegation go to Calais (France) to look into irregular crossings to the UK and the implications for reception facilities. MEPs meet with municipal representatives in Calais as well as judicial and police authorities in charge of security aspects related to the migratory situation and borders, with a focus on the fight against smuggling. The delegation visits a reception centre and meets with local associations involved in humanitarian support to migrants. The visit also include the joint UK-France Coordination and Information Centre.

Asylum and Migration: visit of a Delegation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Delegation to Calais (France)

Asylum and Migration: Visit of a Delegation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to Calais (France) - (part 2)

A Civil Liberties Committee delegation go to Brussels (Belgium) before Calais (France) and Ter Apel (Netherlands) to look into irregular crossings to the UK and the implications for reception facilities. MEPs meet with government officials and agencies in charge of migration policy as well as NGO representative, and they will visit reception facilities. The delegation exchanges with various NGOs active in supporting migrants and refugees, meet with Nicole De Moor, Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration and visits a local registration centre.

Asylum and Migration: visit of a Delegation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Delegation to Brussels (Belgium)

Roberta Metsola during her official visit to Ireland visited the Trinity College with Leo VARADKAR, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach). The University Philosophical Society is a student paper-reading and debating society in Trinity College. They award the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage to Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament during a ceremony during which she also delivers a keynote speech.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Ireland (Dublin): extracts from the Keynote Address and Reception of the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the Philosophical Society of Dublin University, Trinity College

On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Holocaust Memorial is inaugurated in the Yehudi Menuhin area in the European Parliament, in Brussels. Extracts from the Inauguration of the memorial with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, and of the reception with the testimony of Mr Alberto ISRAEL, Holocaust survivor.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: inauguration of the Holocaust Memorial - extracts

The Pournara Emergency Reception Centre for asylum seekers is located outside Kokkinotrimithia, on the edge of the capital Nicosia, in Cyprus. Outside and inside views of the camp with shots of the daily life of the asylum seekers in the camp. Shots of the established “safe zone”, installed by the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) at the Pournara Emergency Reception Centre. It is a special zone dedicated to fragile women, unaccompanied minors, women and children. According to Cypriot authorites, in the first half of 2022, 12,000 asylum seekers arrived in the southern part of the island.

Infoclip: New migration route - Pournara (Cyprus) - Emergency Reception Centre

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Younous OMARJEE, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) of the European Parliament, visit the reception centre of Ukrainain refugees Punkt pobytowy Wołoska 7.

Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee, visit a reception centre of Ukrainain refugees in Poland

MEPs assess the application of asylum rules in the EU and the allegations of breaches of the right to asylum and non-refoulement. MEPs refer to reports of pushbacks at different EU borders such as the Greek-Turkish border and the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders with Belarus. Besides insisting on the need to guarantee decent reception conditions for people seeking international protection in the EU. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Violations of right to seek asylum and non-refoulement in the EU Member States: closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs assess the application of asylum rules in the EU and the allegations of breaches of the right to asylum and non-refoulement. MEPs refer to reports of pushbacks at different EU borders such as the Greek-Turkish border and the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders with Belarus. Besides insisting on the need to guarantee decent reception conditions for people seeking international protection in the EU.

Violations of right to seek asylum and non-refoulement in the EU Member States: MEPs debate

MEPs assess the application of asylum rules in the EU and the allegations of breaches of the right to asylum and non-refoulement. MEPs refer to reports of pushbacks at different EU borders such as the Greek-Turkish border and the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders with Belarus. Besides insisting on the need to guarantee decent reception conditions for people seeking international protection in the EU. Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

Violations of the right to asylum, life and non-refoulement in Greece: opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, travels with Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee to Poland to discuss with national and regional authorities and civil society organisations EU’s support for Member States’ efforts in receiving and accommodating refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, notably the initiatives recently proposed by the Commission under the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe. Commissioner Elisa FERREIRA and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee visit the reception centre in Hala Kijowska in Młyny, Poland.

Visit to the reception centre in Hala Kijowska in Młynym, Poland, of Commissioner Elisa FERREIRA in Poland and Younous OMARJEE, President of REGI Committee

Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Younous OMARJEE, President of the REGI Committee in the European Parliament and Ewa LENIART, Member of the Sejm and Governor of Podkarpackie Region speak to the press following their visit to the Korczowa border crossing with Ukraine and their meeting with regional and local representatives, as well as NGOs working in the reception and accommodation of refugees.

Joint press point by Grzegorz PUDA, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Younous OMARJEE, President of the REGI Committee and Ewa LENIART, Member of the Sejm

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EP New Year Reception

New Year reception at the Belgian Royal Palace for European Authorities

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Speech at the Reception hosted by the World Jewish Congress

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Tokyo (Japan) - G7 Speakers’ meeting Welcome reception

European Parliamentary Week 2023 - Reception

Reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland's accession to the European Union

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Dublin - Address and Reception of the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from the Philosophical Society of Dublin University, Trinity College

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Spain - Keynote address and reception of the award “Woman of the Year” at the Women in a Legal World conference

Roberta METSOLA, EP President attends to the King of the Belgians' New Year's reception

Final trilogue on Reception Conditions Directive

Quaestor's reception

David SASSOLI, EP President participates at the reception with Jeanne BARSEGHIAN, Mayor of Strasbourg

Reception ahead of the Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Reception ahead of the Commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day - David Maria SASSOLI, EP President welcomes Liliana SEGRE, Senator for life, Senato della Repubblica, survivor of Auschwitz

EP President's New Years Reception

Ambassador's New Year Reception

New Year reception at the Belgian Royal Palace for European Authorities