The EU signs a “historic agreement” to welcome Ukrainian refugees

The countries of the European Union have signed a political agreement to grant a temporary refugee protection what they arrive from ukraineand that this Thursday already add up to more than a million.

The body thus applies a directive from 2001 for the first time, which has led the leaders to describe this agreement as “historic”. This policy will allow Ukrainian refugees stay in the EU for a maximum of three years. In addition, this regulation would also be extended to non-Ukrainian citizens residing in that country.

In this way, the European Union will grant temporary protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The European Commissioner for the Interior, Ylva Johansson, has underlined in this context that “the EU is united to save lives”.

What does the legislation establish?

Member States have given the green light to legislation that was passed after the Balkan wars after the disintegration of Yugoslavia but had not been activated to date.

Thus, it will provide people who have fled Ukraine, whatever Member State they are in, with a residence permit, access to the labor market and housing, and medical and social assistance.

Spain had already advanced that it would support activating the legislation to give temporary protection to refugees. “Spain, of course, will support the activation of the directive on temporary protection that will give Ukrainian citizens who are fleeing this situation the possibility of being able to move freely around the countries of the Union and even be able to reside,” said the Secretary of State for Security Spaniard, Rafael Perez Ruiz.

Pérez Ruiz explained that Spain has a significant diaspora of Ukrainians, between 100,000 and 120,000 people who will serve as a base to help their compatriots fleeing from the war.