"There are several ideas, but no decision yet" – EU issues new statement on temporary protection for Ukrainian men
Kyiv • UNN
The Council of the EU is discussing the status of temporary protection for Ukrainians. A decision regarding the possible exclusion of men from the program has not yet been made.
The EU will discuss further steps regarding the temporary protection status for Ukrainians today, stated Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, which holds the EU Council presidency; he added, amid circulating ideas regarding the possible exclusion of men from the program, that no decisions have been made yet, UNN reports.
Details
"Today we will discuss further steps regarding the provision of temporary protection to citizens of Ukraine," Ioannides said before the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on Thursday.
"Well, there are several ideas," Ioannides indicated in response to a question on whether Ukrainian men would be excluded from temporary protection in Europe. "We have not made any decision yet, and that is why we are here today, to discuss different views."
"Again, no decisions will be made, but at least the member states will express their opinions, and we will see how it moves forward," he indicated.
Addendum
As reported, EU governments are discussing the exclusion of Ukrainian men of conscription age from the temporary protection program. Restrictions may apply to new applicants in the future.