http://www.thetoc.gr/eng/news/article/first-re-located-asylum-seekers-arrive-in-cyprus-from-greece
First 're-located' asylum-seekers arrive in Cyprus from Greece
Sunday, 14 February, 2016
The UNHCR has welcomed the relocation of asylum-seekers from Greece to Cyprus after the first group of six asylum-seekers arrived here last week.
The UNHCR has welcomed the relocation of asylum-seekers from Greece to Cyprus after the first group of six asylum-seekers arrived here last week.
They arrived as part of the EU relocation programme agreed by the European Union institutions and a number of Member States in September 2015.
The six asylum-seekers are from Syria, Iraq and Eritrea.
Under the scheme, Cyprus has pledged to accept the relocation of 440 asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy.
Cyprus has also agreed to offer resettlement places for 69 vulnerable refugees selected by UNHCR in countries outside the EU.
According to UNHCR the EU responsibility-sharing scheme "is an important step towards stabilizing the biggest refugee crisis that Europe has seen in decades" while .
The UNHCR Representative in Cyprus Damtew Dessalegne has said that "efforts must now be stepped up to accelerate the relocation process for the 160,000 persons as agreed by the EU in September 2015” .
Source:
http://famagusta-gazette.com
http://famagusta-gazette.com/first-relocated-asylumseekers-arrive-in-cyprus-from-greece-p32512-69.htm
Received on Sun Feb 14 2016 - 07:00:40 EST