Mitarakis: Greece actively supports the displaced Ukrainians

March 16, 2022

Robert

Special job search pagein which ads will be posted by companies that offer direct positions in Ukrainians displacedlaunches the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, as stated by the Minister of Immigration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis to the members of the Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice, in the information provided on the ever-increasing rate of arrivals of displaced persons from Ukraine to Greece, due to the armed invasion of Russia, as well as on the initiatives of the Ministry.

“Greece actively supports the displaced Ukrainians and opened its arms to welcome them. And he did it in a coordinated, efficient and harmonized way with Europe and the Western world “, said Notis Mitarakis who underlined that” today, we are experiencing an attempt to violently redraw the borders of the European world “and that” in this difficult condition for the world, Greece took a clear position from the beginning. He was in favor of international law and in the critical hours that followed he unequivocally condemned the invasion “, because” we belong to the West, we walk in peace, we build stability in our neighborhood “.

The Minister of Immigration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis informed in particular the members of the committee Parliament that:

-activated Directive 55/2001, which has been incorporated into national law by P.D. 80/2006, for the provision of status, initially 12 months, of temporary protection to displaced Ukrainian citizens, family members and recognized refugees.

-With Ministerial Decision retroactive effect was foreseen for the activation of the Directive, from February 24, but it was already applied in practice from the first day of the war.

-Ten thousand displaced people have already arrived in Greece. They only arrive at legal points of entry, present their passports, or in a few cases another legal document. Holders of biometric passports enter without a visa. Those who have an old type passport receive a visa free of charge at the border, from the Greek Police.

-In the Bastion, the Reception and Identification Service created a special reception team, utilizing the existing facilities and offering on a 24-hour basis specific facilities, ie detailed information – through a special brochure, translated into Ukrainian and with the possibility of tele-interpretation as well as food, hot drinks, , until the identification procedures at the Passport Control Department are completed. It was also renovated to create a reception station, which will have, among other things, special rooms for babysitting, a playground, showers and other infrastructure for the basic needs of those who enter by road, after a long journey.

-In cooperationwith the THE GREEK POLICEan entry line was set up exclusively for Ukrainians displaced.

-In consultation with the consular authorities of Ukraine in our country, solved problems that arose in the identification of newly arrived Ukrainians and thus drastically reduced the time-consuming process of the first days.

-At the borderschecks are carried out on the vaccination certificates of the displaced Ukrainians and sampling tests by a special EODY team, as is the case at the country’s entry gates.

– It was secured simplified procedure for the issuance of the necessary customs formalities, in the case of cars of Ukrainians displaced for 6 months initially. The procedures for their pets have been simplified and their health passports are not being examined at this critical time.

-For the confrontation In all issues, there was mobilization and synergy of the competent Ministries, services and agencies.

-Within inter-ministerial committee, any problems that arise are addressed.

Regarding the material benefits of hospitality, o Minister of Immigration and Asylum informed the Parliamentary committee that the character of two hosting structures of the national reception system had been redefined. The structure in Sintiki, Serres, which is a new structure and is only 5 km from the border, is used for the short-term hospitality of those who arrive in Greece from Promachonas. “There, we have the possibility of first accommodation in specially designed lodges, and we offer a hot drink, meals and personal hygiene items. “Our goal is for Sintiki to be a structure of short-lived -first- stay, so that it can welcome possible increased flows always in connection with the development of the war in Ukraine”, said Notis Mitarakis and added that the necessary steps have been taken in order to There are about 800 beds available for long-term accommodation in the structure of Serres, which is close by and is metaphorically interconnected with the urban fabric.

“Generally in the first phase, we have immediately available up to 15 thousand beds, which can be gradually increased, if necessary. Today, the National Reception System has 30 thousand vacancies, thanks to the substantial decongestion of the islands and the hinterland. “You understand that such an emergency could not be dealt with with a reception system that had reached and exceeded its limits”, noted the Minister of Immigration and Asylum and stressed that the ministry took immediate and targeted actions to inform and assist Ukrainian IDPs:

-From the first moment, a call center (help desk) was put into operation to facilitate communication.

-Made Web portal information for easy access to information, through a detailed Q&A, but also the ability to submit questions to an e-mail address, specifically for this purpose. Today, the call center has received and answered more than 1,500 calls, while more than 200 questions have been answered in the form of emails.

-Online platform created humanitarian aid, “Help Ukraine”. In collaboration with international organizations, NGOs, local authorities and other interested parties, the offers today exceed 1,600.

“Today, more than 10,000 Ukrainian citizens have arrived in our country, who, however, we do not know if they will need, if they want, to stay and for how long in the European Union and Greece. From the very first conversations, one understands that their mind is in their homeland and in its reconstruction. However, something that depends on the outcome of the conflict “, said the Minister of Immigration and Asylum and stressed that the government” prepares scenarios, for every possible event, which vary depending on the number of arrivals “.

“So far, few have requested hospitality in structures. Many, however, who are now hosted by compatriots and relatives, will seek refuge. We have the know-how for the operation of hosting programs, which we are already planning for immediate implementation if required. But it is obvious that our country and the other member states will need additional funding to cover the costs of the crisis “, said Notis Mitarakis who noted at this point that” the eligibility of expenditures has been ensured, at the request of Greece in its Council The European Union”.

For those who have already arrived or will arrive in the country, the minister said, however, that it is important to obtain the necessary legal documents, which will provide them with access to the labor market if they wish, without bureaucracy.

“It is already planned to create an electronic pre-registration platform that will be launched on 28/3 and will provide the opportunity to all potential beneficiaries to declare their basic information and receive an individualized appointment at the Asylum Service, in order to complete their registration “, informed the Minister of Immigration and Asylum who added that” the process of providing temporary protection will start from 4/4 at the Regional Asylum Offices of Thessaloniki, Attica, Patras and Crete “and” if there is a need for further points, this will be addressed immediately. “

These are the points of a stop, explained Mr. Mitarakis, where the beneficiaries will receive the residence permit – in the colors of the Ukrainian flag – and where the biometric data and photos will be taken.

In the empty residenceThe AMKA and AFM numbers, necessary for access to the national health system and the labor market, will also be listed.

The connection with the competent services will be done automatically and digitally, relieving the beneficiaries of the need for another personal presence in public services, “thus immediately giving the opportunity to those who choose to stay in Greece, to stand on their own two feet and work immediately. To be useful for themselves, their families and the local economy “.

To help, the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum launches a special job search page, which will post ads from companies that offer direct jobs to displaced Ukrainians.

As the minister did not inform, there is a touching response from the private sector and Civil Society, which “must be filtered, crystallized and then channeled with state care”.

The same applies to the tender requests, Mr. Mitarakis noted and stressed that the necessary evaluation procedures have already been designed and then this assistance will be used.

“Greece actively supports the displaced Ukrainians and opened its arms to welcome them. “And he did it in a coordinated, efficient and harmonized way with Europe and the Western world,” said the Minister of Immigration and Asylum.