Belgian Minister of Migration, Asylum and Social Integration Annelene van Bossuet announced plans to encourage Syrians to return home by increasing support for reintegration, Belgian news agency Belga reported, quoted by BTA.
Ahead of an informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Cyprus, Bossuet said that voluntary return is now a more realistic option, as Bashar al-Assad has not been in power in Syria for more than a year. The meeting's agenda also includes the issue of the return of Syrians and Afghans.
Under the plan, Syrians who choose to return voluntarily to their homeland will receive more support for reintegration. It is not in the form of cash, but rather practical assistance on the ground in Syria - for example, assistance with housing, education, medical care or starting a small business. The support is organised in cooperation with partner organisations and partly financed by the European Union.
The amount of assistance depends on how quickly people decide to return. Syrians who are still in the asylum procedure can receive up to 5,000 euros. The longer they stay in the asylum system, the smaller the amount. Syrians who entered the country illegally can receive up to 3,000 euros.
The Belgian minister stressed that the measure would help people rebuild their lives while reducing costs for Belgium. She added that forced returns would continue for those who refuse to cooperate, with priority given to criminals and those staying in Belgium illegally.