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Agreement on Implementation of Refugee Return in Western Balkans Signed
The UN High Commissariat for Refugees (UNHCR) and the European Commission signed an agreement for implementation of 2006 Regional CARDS Programme, titled Regional Refugee Return in Western Balkans. The 12-month, one million EUR programme aims to improve and upgrade the sustainable solutions for remaining refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons.
Today, twelve years after the armed conflict in SEE, half a million people remain displaced all over the region. The programme will be implemented by UNHCR and its partners in B&H, Croatia, Kosovo (in accordance with UNSC 1244), Montenegro and Serbia.
Greeting the extension of last year’s programme, UNHCR Representative in Serbia Lennart Kotsalainen and acting Head of EC Delegation to Serbia Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, emphasized the crucial importance of continued regional cooperation on issues of return and integration of refugees, as well as the efficient fulfilment of obligations accepted by the governments in the region.
With almost 300,000 refugees and IDPs, Serbia provides shelter to the greatest number of people seeking lasting solutions in the region, said Kotsalainen. He added that the Agreement will enable UNHCR to continue to provide assistance to those wishing to return home to Croatia through transport services, and to those that wish to fully integrate in serbia, through series of profitable projects.
UNHCR reports that a part of the funds will be used to continue the production of two TV shows: Vreme Odluke (Decision Time) for the refugee population; and Povratak (Return) for the IDPs from Kosovo. The two programmes, produced by the national public broadcasting service provide the refugees and IDPs with information that could help them make informed decisions about their future.
Kotsalainen also emphasized that UNHCR intends to continue its support to Serbian institutions and their efforts to fully integrate the refugees in the country’s legal, economic and social system, and to close the refugee saga in the region with dignity and humanely.
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