Latvia considers resettling refugees from Turkey

Latvia currently considers beginning resettling refugees from Turkey, as confirmed by Foreign Ministry’s press-secretary ambassador Raimonds Jansons.

When asked about the recently held EU-Turkey summit, Jansons admitted that Latvia positively views the agreement in regard to emergency measures to help preserve the Schengen Area. Latvia believes that the formation of the Schengen Area and its function was one of the main accomplishments of the European Union and it is in Latvia’s interest to preserve the Schengen system.

Latvia also welcomes Greece’s efforts to resolve the situation with illegal migrants, specifically by enhancing border control, migrant identification system, their registration and related security measures.

The government already actively supports Frontex in joint operations with personnel and equipment. Future requests for participation will be assessed based on the country’s capabilities.

Jansons also added that the government currently considers the possibility of resettling refugees from Turkey. No detailed information is available at this time.

Jansons adds that Latvia has begun resettling refugees from Greece. Resettlement of refugees from Italy will begin soon. «We have expressed readiness to intensify relocation of individuals within the current quotas,» – he said, adding that Latvia is prepared to offer Greece all the support within the country’s capabilities.

BNN/LETA 

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