European Commission to activate regulation to protect people fleeing Ukraine

BRUSSELS, March 2 (KUNA) -- The European Commission Wednesday proposed to activate its Temporary Protection regulation to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Under this proposal, those fleeing the war will be granted temporary protection in the EU, meaning that they will be given a residence permit, and they will have access to education and to the labour market, said the EUآ’s executive body in a press release.
Since the Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, over 650,000 people have fled to neighbouring EU Member States, it noted.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: "Europe stands by those in need of protection. All those fleeing Putin's bombs are welcome in Europe. We will provide protection to those seeking shelter and we will help those looking for a safe way home." Under this proposal, Ukrainian nationals and people who have made Ukraine their home as well as their family members displaced by the conflict will be entitled to protection across the European Union.
Non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless people legally residing in Ukraine who cannot return to their country or region of origin, such as asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection and their family members, will also be granted protection in the EU.
Others who are legally present in Ukraine for a short-term and are able to return safely to their country of origins will fall outside the scope of this protection. Nevertheless, they should be allowed access to the EU to transit prior to returning to their countries of origin, said the press release.
It is now for the Council which represents the EU member states to adopt the Temporary Protection proposal.
EU interior and justice minister will discus the issue during their meeting in in Brussels on Thursday.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has admitted that some non-European refugees have faced discrimination while attempting to flee to safety at Ukraine borders.
"There has been a different treatment" he told a press conference on Tuesday, after a number of Arab, Asian and African refugees complained that they were blocked at borders in Ukraine while trying to make crossings.
"There has been a different treatment .. There should be absolutely no discrimination between Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians, Europeans and non-Europeans. Everyone is fleeing from the same risks," he said.
The UN plans to intervene to try to ensure that everybody receives equal treatment, Grandi added. (end) nk.rk