Bulgarian EU Commissioner Assuages Fears of Refugee Wave

Bulgaria in EU | September 1, 2013, Sunday // 14:54|  views

From a total of 2 million Syrian refugees, only 45 000 are in Europe, says Bulgaria's EU Commissioner, file photo

Europe is not currently facing a refugee wave, according to Bulgarian EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.

Speaking for the public Bulgarian National Radio on Sunday, Georgieva, who is the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said that from a total of 2 million Syrian refugees, only 45 000 are in Europe, with half of them being in Germany and Switzerland.

She, however, stressed that a destabilization of the situation in Lebanon would change things drastically, thus Europe, including Bulgaria, must be prepared for an influx of refugees.

Georgieva noted the EU has funds for countries located close to outbreaks of military conflicts. The financing can be used for increased border protection, sheltering refugees, their integration or for assistance for those who volunteer to return to their homeland.

"The EU has granted so far EUR 1.3 B in assistance for the victims of the Syrian conflict. 47% of these funds are directed to Syria itself. A total of 6.8 million people need help, but it reaches only half of them," the Commissioner explained.

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Tags: refugee wave, EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, Syria, crisis, conflict, EU, funds, financing, refugees, Syrian, Bulgaria

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