24/01/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 23 January the Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) adopted the report by Cécile Kyenge (S&D, Italy) by 38 votes to 11 with 5 abstentions on the creation of immigration liaison officers in third countries. These officers are deployed in third countries by Member States and the EU to establish and maintain contacts with the authorities of the host country on migration issues (prevention and control of illegal immigration, facilitation of returns, management of legal migration). In 2004, the EU adopted a regulation creating a European network of immigration liaison officers, a regulation revised by the Commission in May 2018, which emphasises in particular the role of preventing and eliminating trafficking in human beings. The Council adopted its position in November (see EUROPE 12128). Inter-institutional discussions can begin. (SP)