War in Ukraine: EU grants 'temporary protection' to refugees
Refugees arrive at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland, February 25, 2022. REUTERS - KACPER PEMPEL
Text by: RFI Follow
4 mins
The Twenty-Seven unanimously agreed on Thursday to grant "temporary protection" in the European Union to exiles fleeing the fighting in Ukraine and who are flocking to the borders of the EU, in particular in Poland, Hungary or even In Romania.
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The European Ministers of the Interior have decided to act for the first time on this directive dating from 2001. It will allow a person of Ukrainian nationality who crosses one of the borders of the
European Union
to be automatically protected.
Once in the EU, it will be able to circulate freely within the 27 member countries.
It is a decision deemed “
historic
” by Brussels.
The
refugees
will thus benefit from a residence permit and will have access to social protection and health care.
Adults will be able to work and children go to school.
This protection of one year at the start can be extended up to three years, indicates our correspondent in Brussels,
Jean-Jacques Héry
.
The full commitment of the EU
“
We have already welcomed around 1 million refugees and we will see millions more.
We need this legislation to offer them adequate protection,
” argued EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson after the ministerial meeting in Brussels.
"
Our unanimous decision reflects the full commitment of the EU in solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of this unjustifiable war
", assured French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, specifying that the agreement will be formally validated before publication on Friday for its Coming into force.
The decision, taken unanimously, was welcomed by the representatives of each country.
“
We are very happy with the decision taken today,
rejoiced Sammy Mahdi, Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration
. Europe has proven that when it is really necessary, it is possible to go very fast.
It was necessary and we did it today.
"
This is not just an act of compassion in times of war
: it is our moral duty as Europeans
", commented from Romania the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
►
Also to listen: War in Ukraine: the European Union strengthened?
Prior to the meeting, several countries, including Austria, Poland and Hungary, had expressed concerns about granting “
temporary protection
” to non-Ukrainian refugees.
But after an “impressive” intervention, by videoconference, by Ukrainian Interior Minister Denis Monastirski, “
there was an agreement that foreign nationals with proof of residence in Ukraine should be treated like Ukrainian citizens
”, explained German Minister Nancy Faeser.
According to her, the unanimous agreement of the Twenty-Seven, often very divided on migration policies, marks "
a welcome paradigm shift
".
However, no plan for the formal distribution of refugees between EU countries is on the table at this stage.
“
We are not naive, welcoming millions of refugees will pose innumerable challenges for our societies.
But we are now in a much better position to respond
” than in previous migration crises, says Ms Johansson.
►
Also to listen: Ukraine: more than 660,000 people have already fled the war
The case of other residents and refugees
There remains the case of foreigners residing in Ukraine, but not having a long-term residence permit, such as temporary workers or students.
"
They are not covered by the temporary protection status, but we are working closely with the Ukrainians to welcome them to the EU, where we will offer them immediate protection and help them with housing, clothing and food
," said explained Ylva Johansson.
“
We will liaise with the countries from which they come, to see how flights can be organized to bring them safely home
,” she continued.
Operations are already underway, with planes chartered by India, Morocco or Tunisia to repatriate their refugee nationals in Poland or Romania, according to a European source, who recalls that the persons concerned can also file an asylum application. in the EU.
The Commission's proposal "
offers a new life to people fleeing danger
" and "
triggers an unprecedented mechanism of solidarity
" between States, but comes after years of the EU's "
poor record
" in terms of welcoming migrants, commented the NGO Oxfam.
These are single women with their children and their luggage who arrive here, but all the Romanian volunteers are there to help, to carry their bags.
Assistance provided by NGOs to Ukrainians at the border crossing into Romania
(
And with
AFP)
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