On 1 December 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a decision to accept 50 Syrian or Afghan citizens from Türkiye who could be granted refugee status in Slovenia. This was followed by the preparation of an implementation plan, which identified families, single mothers, single women and up to five unaccompanied minors, mainly victims of this year's earthquake in Türkiye, as priority categories.

The project was implemented in cooperation with the UNHCR. On the basis of their documentation, representatives of the Ministry, the Police and the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants interviewed refugees in Türkiye to assess their eligibility for refugee status in Slovenia and their integration needs, and carried out security checks. The refugees were informed about our country, culture and customs. On this basis, a final selection of 50 persons was made who fulfilled the necessary conditions and would be granted refugee status immediately upon arrival in Slovenia.

The first group of 23 Syrian nationals (four families and one individual) arrived in Slovenia on 14 December 2023. A second group of 27 Afghan nationals is expected to arrive at the end of January 2024. They will be accommodated in the facilities of the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants.

For each resettled person, Slovenia will receive funding from the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

Background

The government's decision to accept 50 Syrian or Afghan nationals from Türkiye is an expression of solidarity, and the number is in proportion to the burdens and capacities of the system for integrating persons with recognised international protection. Türkiye is the largest refugee host country, with the highest estimated resettlement needs globally.

Slovenia has participated in a resettlement project in the past, with 34 persons from Türkiye, all Syrian nationals, resettled in Slovenia in 2016 on the basis of a government decision.

Slovenia has repeatedly supported the European Commission's efforts on resettlement and relocation in discussions at the EU level. Indeed, measures related to resettlement are one of the most important elements of the EU's migration policy. Member States can use resettlement as an important element of solidarity, offering protection to persons in need of international protection, and also as a strategic instrument to manage migration. By doing so, they reduce incentives for smuggling and trafficking in human beings and allow persons in need of protection to enter the EU legally.