EU ministers agree on migrant numbers, Estonia to take on 150 refugees
The interior ministers of the European Union decided at a meeting in Brussels on Monday that the union will help 60,000 displaced persons.
The ministers reached a definite agreement to adopt 55,000 people from Africa and the Middle East, leaving the fate of 5,000 still up in the air for now.
Estonia’s Interior Minister Hanno Pevkur told ERR that Estonia has definitely agreed to provide safe haven for 150 people within the next two years, but it is possible that the country will accept up to 30 more.
Pevkur said the discussions were “tense and emotional,” but some headway was, nevertheless, made.
“Many member states expressed desire to see Italy and Greece tighten and secure their borders instead. Meanwhile Italy and Greece expected a firm decision on resettlement of all 60,000 migrants, not 5,000 short,” he said.
Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas added that it’s clear now that Estonia will not accept more than 200 people, which the country can manage.
“Estonian society and institutions have an ability to integrate refugees and their successful assimilation in Estonia depends on whether we are ready to give them a chance,” Rõivas said.
Editor: S. Tambur