Russia itself should grant asylum to refugees arriving there - Estonian MEP

Photo: SCANPIX

Refugees seeking to enter Europe through Russia should be granted asylum by Russia in the first place, member of the European Parliament from Estonia Urmas Paet said in a speech at the international relations department of Columbia University.

Paet said Russia is a safe enough country for refugees and it also has an agreement on the readmission of persons from third countries with the European Union. In view of that, refugees who have reached Russia should first of all be granted asylum by Russia, he said.

In his words, the route from Libya to Italy was at first the most used by refugees, but it was very dangerous because of the long voyage across the Mediterranean. The main flow then shifted to the shorter sea route from Turkey to Greece, which is only slightly less dangerous, but by now the route via Russia can be seen gaining popularity.

«The route via Russia is the safest for refugees because they don't have to cross the sea. So far they have mainly moved from Russia to Norway and Finland, but other neighbors of Russia need to stay vigilant, too,» Paet said. Russia could become the next transit country for Middle East refugees alongside Turkey, he said.