Glossary

An approach used by the EU and EU Member States to structure the management of all aspects of migration into and within the EU of both third-country nationals and EU nationals, particularly the entry, admission, residence, integration and return, as well as of refugees and others in need of protection.

Developed by EMN

A mechanism for the mutual exchange of information concerning national measures in the areas of asylum and immigration that are likely to have a significant impact on several EU Member States or on the European Union as a whole.

Art. 1 of Council Decision 2006/688/EC (Mutual Information Mechanism Decision)

Agreements on the recognition of foreign qualifications negotiated by governments and professional organisations in several countries by setting out clear rules for licensing or certifying migrant professionals who move between signatory countries in order to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for case-by-case assessments when applicants have been trained in systems conferring essentially comparable skills and knowledge.

Migration Policy Institute: Skilled Immigrants in the Global Economy: Prospects for International Cooperation on Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, 2013

An initiative forming part of the South-East European Cooperation Process, which aims to enhance regional cooperation in the field of migration by promoting a comprehensive, integrated, and coherent approach to the issues of migration, asylum, border management, visa policies and consular cooperation, refugee return and settlement in order to meet international and European standards.

A cooperation arrangement, on the basis of political declarations, that provides the bilateral framework for dialogue and practical cooperation to address relevant migration and mobility issues of mutual concern primarily with EU neighbourhood countries, including short and long-term mobility, on a voluntary basis.

A person who meets the criteria of the UNHCR Statute and qualifies for the protection of the UN provided by the High Commissioner for Refugees, regardless of whether or not they are in a country that is a party to the Geneva Refugee Convention and Protocol, or whether or not they have been recognised by the host country as a refugee under either of these instruments.

In a legal context and in contrast to a child, a person who, according to the law of their respective country, is under the age of majority, i.e. is not yet entitled to exercise specific civil and political rights.

A marriage contracted for the sole purpose of enabling the person concerned to enter or reside in an EU Member State.

A policy that endorses the principle of cultural diversity and supports the right of different cultural and ethnic groups to retain distinctive cultural identities ensuring their equitable access to society, encompassing constitutional principles and commonly shared values prevailing in the society.

In an asylum context, a number of principles in relation to procedures for international protection , to reception conditions , and to the refugee definition established by the Treaty of Amsterdam from which EU Member States cannot derogate.

In the Tampere Agreement, and then reaffirmed by the Hague Programme, EU Member States agreed to go beyond minimum standards and develop a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) based on a common asylum procedure and a uniform status for those who are granted international protection .

Arrival in the Community of a large number of displaced persons, who come from a specific country or geographical area, whether their arrival in the Community was spontaneous or aided, for example through an evacuation programme.

Complex migratory population movement including refugees , asylum-seekers, economic migrants and other types of migrants as opposed to migratory population movements that consist entirely of one category of migrants.

The number of migrants in a given area on a certain date (e.g. 1 January or 31 December) of the year in question.

A person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which they are not nationals.

A tool to bring together and analyse all the relevant information needed to develop policy in the field of migration and development and to monitor the impact of policies implemented.

An initiative by which work along the main migratory routes through a particular region and towards the EU is identified and which takes into account the need to work in close collaboration with the third countries along these routes.

The number of migrants crossing a boundary, within a specific time period, for the purpose of establishing residence.

A non-dominant group which is usually numerically less than the majority population of a State or region regarding their ethnic, religious or linguistic characteristics and who (if only implicitly) maintain solidarity with their own culture, traditions, religion or language.

The reception conditions that include housing, food and clothing provided in kind, or as financial allowances or in vouchers, or a combination of the three, and a daily expenses allowance.