HR/VP Federica Mogherini speaks to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi about the situation of refugees and migrants

September 3, 2019
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Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, held a phone call with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi.

The High Representative and the High Commissioner discussed the current situation in Latin America as well as the worrying situation in Libya, where the EU and the UNHCR are cooperating closely to assist refugees and migrants, including in the context of the tripartite European Union-African Union-United Nations taskforce. Through these combined efforts, over 4,000 persons in need of international protection have been evacuated and resettled from Libya to third countries and 48,000 migrants have been assisted to return voluntarily from Libya to their country of origin since beginning of 2017. Federica Mogherini took this opportunity to welcome the ongoing efforts of UNHCR and the government of Rwanda to establish an additional transit centre for refugees evacuated from Libya.

Last but not least, Federica Mogherini and Filippo Grandi spoke about the situation of Syrian refugees and agreed that returns to Syria are only possible when they are safe, voluntary and dignified and based on a well-informed decision.

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Press release

Countries covered:

  • Libya
  • Syria *