On the occasion of the 2019 International Youth Day, COMECE calls the EU to implement youth policies reducing the forms of youth exclusions, and empowering young people at all levels of economic, social and political life.

In the context of the 10th anniversary of EU’s partnership with its six Eastern neighbouring countries, COMECE will address the future priorities of this policy framework during the Autumn meeting of its Commission on EU External Affairs, discussing ways to empower youth, families and local communities.

In the context of the reform of the EU Return Directive, COMECE calls for human-centered policies including the fundamental rights protection of irregular migrants at all stages of their return, the implementation of alternatives to detention, the full respect of the principle of non-refoulment and the prioritisation of voluntary return.

The High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) set up by the European Commission published on 26 June 2019 the document “Policy and investments recommendations for trustworthy AI”. The publication highlights some of the recommendations expressed by COMECE in its previous contribution to the “Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI”.

COMECE welcomes the publication of the 2019 Asylum Office reportand calls EU Member States to respect international law obligations with regards to anyone looking for international protection in their territories.