The first group will arrive in two months, and it will have to undergo a security check.
At the session of the Croatian government on Thursday, Interior Minister Davor Božinović presented a proposal for the decision on the resettlement of third-country nationals or stateless persons who are eligible for international protection, reports Jutarnji List on October 5, 2017.
“In the framework of the European migration programme, the government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a decision in 2015 and committed to accept 150 third-country nationals or stateless persons who qualify for international protection approval,” said Božinović.
In July 2015, Croatia assumed a responsibility to accept up to 550 people – 150 on the basis of relocation from third countries and 400 people from other EU member states, by taking part in the European Union programme for the resettlement of third country nationals or stateless persons eligible for international protection. This number has now been increased by additional 100 people.
“This is a sign of international solidarity towards third countries, as well as a tool for migration and crisis management related to the reduction of illegal migrations and the prevention of human smuggling. Croatia has decided to accept Syrian nationals from Turkey. The relocation is voluntary so that people can change their mind at any stage of the procedure, and the selection is based on an interview and a file prepared by the United Nation’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Before they arrive in Croatia, they will all have to undergo a security check,” said Interior Minister Božinović and added that the first group of refugees would arrive in less than two months.
“It is planned that the first group will move to Croatia by the end of November or in early December this year. The European Commission has recommended that up to 50,000 refugees should be moved to the European Union by December 2019. Accordingly, the European Commission has provided financial assistance to member states in the total amount of 500 million euros,” Božinović said, adding that this meant that the each resettled person would bring in a 10,000 euro grant.
“From the very beginning, Croatia has been in favour of the principle of solidarity. We believe that Croatia can accept additional 100 people in 2018,” said Božinović.
Translated from Jutarnji List.
