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Following the example of other European countries, Luxembourg has also opened its doors to refugees from Ukraine who are fleeing the war after Russia invaded Ukraine.
At present, the country’s government applies specific procedures for refugees from Ukraine who seek international protection in Luxembourg, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Ukrainians who plan to apply for asylum in Luxembourg are subject to Temporary Protection which is activated in cases where many people are forced to leave their country and do not have the possibility to go back.
Earlier this month, the Commission of the European Union proposed activating the Temporary Protection Directive to help citizens of Ukraine fleeing the war.
This type of protection can only be given by the government or the European Union. If granted, people with temporary protection are not subject to regular asylum procedures.
Regarding the situation with Ukrainian refugees, the decision to impose Temporary Protection was taken by the EU.
All refugees from Ukraine entering the Grand Duchy territory are required to file an application with the Immigration Directorate. The Temporary Protections gives Ukrainian refugees immediate access to Luxembourg’s job market.
Apart from the special emergency protection, Luxembourg’s international protection laws regulate further classes of international protection: “refugee status” as well as the “subsidiary protection,” as reported by RTL. If granted, such residence permits are valid for a period of five years.
The Temporary Protection Directive offers immediate protection and rights to refugees, reducing pressure on national asylum systems and also enhancing solidarity and responsibility and further support from EU agencies.
In this regard, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that Europe would welcome all Ukrainian citizens affected by the war while stressing that Europe would also stand by those who needed international protection.
Besides, non-Ukrainian citizens, as well as stateless persons who are legally residing in Ukraine and are ineligible to return to their country of origin or region, will also be protected by the European Union.
“Others who are legally present in Ukraine for a short-term and are able to return safely to their country of origins will fall outside the scope of this protection. Nevertheless, they should be allowed access to the EU to transit before returning to their countries of origin,” the statement notes.
Luxembourg’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Asselborn recently stressed that over 1,000 refugees from Ukraine are expected to register with Luxembourg’s immigration office while the country is opening a new center to be able to offer more beds to people who reach this country.