Mr Linkevičius started the discussion by pointing out that in fact 95 per cent of Syrian refugees are to be regarded, under the terms of the Geneva Convention, as refugees in need of protection. In his view, Europe has already taken in approximately 500 000 Syrians out of the 4 million who have fled the country. The minister believes that the greatest focus will be on the operation of "Hotspots" – migration management centres used for the initial registration of refugees and distinguishing of people fleeing war from economic migrants. "Italy, Greece and Hungary have set up the initial registration points [...], and it is them that should fulfil this function," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister recalled that the Government established a commission to coordinate the resettlement and relocation of asylum seekers in Lithuania and to deal with integration issues. The Government leader said a recent study has shown that half of residents of Lithuania (51 per cent) would agree that Lithuania would take in refugees, while nearly a quarter of the respondents (23 per cent) would oppose such a decision. A similar proportion has no opinion on this point, which calls for broader and more comprehensive strategic communication.
"The Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with other agencies, has set up a working group to draft a description of procedures. The latter will serve as a basis for a thorough screening of the refugees. The screening procedure will make sure that no individuals posing a threat to security enter Lithuania. Likewise, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour has been tasked with and prepared for the resettlement and relocation of 505 persons in 2016. Amid preparations for the reception, the Refugees Reception Centre in Rukla arranged to accommodate as many as 160 people, double the previous number of places. At the same time, the Centre will shorten the accommodation period of 8–12 months to 3, and at a municipal level the integration period will be reduced as well. Finally, cities and towns have been designated for the whole process with Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda setting up centres for integration of foreigners in 2016," said Mr Butkevičius. He further explained that after the integration at the Refugees Centre and once settled in the municipalities foreigners will have a possibility to take part in various foreign integration activities. Moreover, the Lithuanian Labour Exchange will offer information and consultation services as well as assistance in obtaining or improving qualifications and in acquiring skills under formal vocational training programmes.
Later, Saulius Skvernelis stressed that the main challenges at this stage are effective identification and efficient integration. "The extent and the way of our engagement in the identification process under the quota plan will be essential and, apparently, the key to our future," the Minister of the Interior said. Mr Skvernelis believes that successful reception and integration of refugees are all about the image of our state, ability to fulfil its international obligations, and, finally, face and culture of our nation. "Lithuania has an opportunity to prove its character as either a committed and credible modern European partner of the West or a backward-looking and insensitive nation seized by Soviet-era stereotypes and fears. A civilised integration policy means, in particular, that a country ensures to its citizens integration procedures and conditions compliant with human rights and dignity. Refugees are neither animals nor statistical units, but people," the minister said. According to him, the main challenge is an adequate and efficient protection of the southern or rather entire external borders of the European Union.
At last, Algirdas Šešelgis informed that a strategy for the refugees in Lithuania is to be developed in the first six months of next year. He said that five priorities or orientations, including work optimisation and development at the Refugees Reception Centre, legislation, appropriate financing, engagement of players and partners in integration and their scope for action, and communication, have been identified at this stage. The Vice-Minister of Social Security and Labour emphasised the importance of cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, as it will provide preliminary information on the identified asylum seekers. "The information on families, their composition and age is extremely important for us to make preparations and reception successful and make offers soon after the initial integration and assistance provided at the Refugee Centre," Mr Šešelgis explained.
The discussion on the refugee crisis will be followed up at a Seimas sitting next week.
