BRUSSELS – Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi, upon his arrival to the EU Home Affairs Council in Brussels, on Thursday stated that “we expect progress in the much-needed Migration and Asylum Package, but these are not important issues today.” He stressed that “what is crucial is to provide tangible support to the displaced Ukrainians, who have been forced to flee the country due to the Russian invasion.”

In particular, Mitarachi stated: “Many important issues on the agenda today. We welcome President Macron’s proposal to set up a strong Schengen Council to provide leadership in the common area. At the same time, we all expect progress on the much-needed Migration and Asylum Package, but these are not the important issues today. The most crucial thing is to provide tangible support to the displaced Ukrainians, who were forced to leave the country due to the Russian invasion. From a specific Commission proposal, we must take specific decisions today to activate the legal tools to provide a safe haven for Ukrainians.”