Kristian Vigenin met with Montserrat Vihé
13 September 2013 News
Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin met today with the regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Central Europe, Montserrat Feixas Vihé, at the MFA. They discussed the situation with the centers for temporary accommodation in Bulgaria, as well as the measures taken by the state to deal with the increasing number of Syrian asylum seekers.
"The number of Syrian refugees in Bulgaria is relatively small especially in comparison with the neighboring countries of Syria, but for us this is something new. The technical aspect is only one side of the issue, the other is related to the concerned public reaction," Minister Vigenin said. He noted that the potential for increasing number of refugees was visible last year, but there were no active measures taken to deal with the issue. He assured that the government is seriously considering the situation and the state begins to prepare for its solution.
"I am impressed by the hard work performed constantly by the people working in refugee camps," said in turn Montserrat Feixas Vihé. At the same time, she stressed on the need to take immediate measures for improving the conditions in the centers for temporary accommodation.
Minister Kristian Vigenin and the regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Central Europe discussed the need to provide education for children in refugee camps.
In conclusion, the Foreign Minister expressed hope for quickly finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis. "When that happens, people won’t be forced to seek asylum away from home," he said.