Ukraine starts negotiations with partners on supporting refugees' return
The Ukrainian government has initiated negotiations with partners regarding help for refugees returning to Ukraine.
Source: Interfax Ukraine, citing Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative, at a panel discussion at Ukraine House in Davos.
Quote from Kachka: "I think it's actually good that our partners are helping Ukrainians integrate into the societies where they live. But at the same time, they are not pretending that they don't want them to return to Ukraine. And we see a desire to have a defined common policy in this area."
Kachka said the Ukrainian and German governments could provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees returning from Germany.
Ukraine can offer support regarding infrastructure, housing and job opportunities, while Germany could redirect part of the social assistance to Ukrainian refugees to support their return to Ukraine.
"Negotiations with [our] partners on this issue have just begun – it won’t happen this year or next, but it will happen later," noted Kachka.
He acknowledged that this would be a matter of competition, since in contrast to when Poland joined the EU, EU member states are now interested in attracting Ukrainian labour, as Ukrainians do not create migration problems.
"Here, of course, we come back to the issue of an attractive economic policy and attracting investments," added Kachka.
He said he hoped Ukraine would be able to develop a joint policy with EU countries to help Ukrainians to return home.
Background:
- The UN estimates that there are approximately 6 million Ukrainian refugees abroad. The Ministry of Economy expects around 1.5 million of them to return this year. However, some experts consider this estimate overly optimistic.
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