On Monday, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said the Commission is ready to activate the 2001 ‘Temporary Protective Directive’ to manage an influx of up to one million refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
During her visit to Romania, Johansson told Euronews, “This is really a situation where we could have millions of people on our territory, and then we need to make sure that they have the proper protection and that they have the proper rights,” adding, “Most of Ukrainians coming now, they are coming with passports that give them visa-free entry for 90 days. But we have to prepare for day 91.”
Thank you Minister Bode @MAIRomania for the coordination at 🇺🇦 🇷🇴 border.
— Ylva Johansson (@YlvaJohansson) February 28, 2022
And chance to meet and talk with those at Siret refugee camp
and border post.
The EU greatly appreciates the work of Romanian authorities + people to help those fleeing war in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/kIuJPh5YFf
To this end, Johansson said the directive would help the European Union (EU) member states to handle the applications of all Ukrainian citizens expected to enter the bloc in the coming days. She noted that the mechanism could be adopted from Thursday.
The announcement comes after the EU’s interior ministers met on Sunday to discuss the bloc’s common response to the brewing migration crisis in Ukraine. The meeting was convened by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who said, “The European Union and its member states have provided, and will continue to provide, political, financial, humanitarian and logistical support in the face of Russian aggression.” Darmanin also activated the ‘EU’s Integrated Political Crisis Response’ mechanism to discuss aid allocation, monitor the situation, and coordinate solidarity efforts.
#JHA | EU home affairs ministers discussed the activation of the temporary protection system for Ukrainian refugees. They also discussed:
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) February 27, 2022
➡️humanitarian support
➡️management of external borders
➡️visa measures
➡️response in case of hybrid threats
More: https://t.co/mRuaQGa5Ov pic.twitter.com/OULxLOlDz1
During the meeting, Johansson extended support to the directive, saying, “In my view, I think it would be the right time to use the Temporary Protection Directive to give the proper protection to people fleeing, and also the possibility to move in the European Union.”
Commenting on the same, Sweden’s Minister for Integration, Anders Ygeman, said the directive is not a “magic wand” since it is voluntary. “I think to tackle this kind of situation we need binding rules in the EU… solidarity that is bound by real decisions,” he added.
The never-used-before mechanism was adopted following the 2001 wars in Yugoslavia and Kosovo. The directive extends temporary and immediate protection to people from non-EU countries who have been forced to leave their country due to armed conflict, violation of their human rights, and endemic violence. The directive strikes a balance between member states by allocating refugees according to states’ accommodation capacities.
Once the mechanism is activated, all EU member states, except Denmark and Ireland, are obligated to receive the displaced people and fulfil certain obligations, including the issuance of residence permits to those granted temporary protection, which can be extended for up to three years.
Reportedly, the activation of the ‘temporary protection directive’ will be proposed during the March 3 meeting of the EU member states’ interior and justice ministers.
According to the United Nations, more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia. The Commission estimates that Russia’s military attack on Ukraine could lead to Europe’s largest humanitarian crisis and displace seven million Ukrainians.
About half a million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began last week, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 1, 2022
About half of them crossed the western border to Poland. Others have gone to Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.https://t.co/ktF9ultRmZ pic.twitter.com/mNzTg2PvWr
Poland has opened its borders for all Ukrainians and removed its negative COVID-19 test requirement. Germany and Austria are also offering free train services to those trying to flee the war.
Meanwhile, the European Commission on Monday announced additional emergency aid worth $100 million to aid civilians affected by the war in Ukraine. According to the official press release, the funding will help people in Ukraine and Moldova, and provide them with food, water, shelter, and health. Furthermore, the Commission said it is coordinating the transportation of material aid, including essential medical supplies, via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to Ukraine.