Eastern Partnership Risk Analysis Network Quarterly Report October-December 2017

The Eastern Partnership Risk Analysis Network (EaP-RAN) performs monthly exchanges of statistical data and information on the most recent irregular migration trends. This information is compiled at the level of the Frontex Risk Analysis Unit (RAU) and analysed in cooperation with the regional partners on a quarterly and annual basis. The annual reports offer a more in-depth analysis of the occurring developments and phenomena which impact the regional and common borders, while the quarterly reports are meant to provide regular updates and identify emerging trends in order to maintain situational awareness. Both types of reports are aimed at offering support for strategic and operational decision making. Methodology The Eastern Partnership Quarterly statistical overview is focused on quarterly developments for the seven key indicators of irregular migration: (1) detections of illegal border-crossing between BCPs; (2) detections of illegal border-crossing at BCPs; (3) refusals of entry; (4) detections of illegal stay; (5) asylum applications; (6) detections of facilitators; and (7) detections of fraudulent documents. The backbone of this overview are monthly statistics provided within the framework of the EaP-RAN (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and reference period statistics from common border sections of the neighbouring EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries (Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania). The data are processed, checked for errors and merged into an Excel database for further analysis.