EU asylum programme service to operate soon, Migration Policy minister says

Gazzetta team 27 Αυγούστου 2015 - 20:20

A European Asylum Programme Administration Service is in the final stages of being set up, with disbursement of the first 30 million euros in EU funds for 2014-2020 to take place in the next few days, Alternate Migration Policy Minister Tasia Christodoulopoulou announced on Thursday.

Barring a few things that had to be published in the government gazette, the organisation and staffing of the service was essentially complete, she noted.

Christodoulopoulou reported that the revised national strategic programme for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (TAME) was approved by the European Commission on July 31, with 260 million euros approved for TAME and 195 million euros for the Internal Security Fund for a seven-year period. The funds were destined for specific actions, such as guarding of borders, initial reception, reception of vulnerable groups, social integration and a system of returns, with emphasis on voluntary returns.

The sum of 2.7 million euros had been disbursed to deal with the increased needs due to the migration crisis in Athens and the islands, she added.

The minister also announced that instructions will soon be sent to local authorities concerning the recent modifications to laws on acquiring Greek nationality and those wishing to apply will soon be able to submit their applications.