Slovenia Times

Politics
We are obliged to help both
governmental and non-governmental
organisations and take particular
care of the most vulnerable
groups such as children and
families.
Vesna Györkös Žnidar, Minister of the Interior, Slovenia; Photo: Tinkara Zupan/STA
Interview: Vesna Györkös Žnidar, Ministry of the Interior, Slovenia
Integration is a two-way
process requiring effort
from both the country and
the individual
Prepared by: Medeja Kenda
In late spring 2016, the first group of refugees arrived in Slovenia from
Greece, referring to Solidarity Refugee Resettlement within the European
Union (EU). To date, 34 Iraqis Syrians and Eritreans have the opportunity to
stay in Slovenia. By 2017, 567 people are expected to arrive and seek refuge.
The Slovenian Minister of the Interior explained the integration process
which, in her view, is not so new for Slovenia and she points out that today,
Europe and consequently Slovenia are facing the greatest humanitarian
challenge since the Second World War.
Q How does the integration process operate?
A In May, in the context of relocation, the
Republic of Slovenia accepted 28 citizens of
Iraq and Syria from Greece, and six Eritreans
from Italy. By September 2017, we will accept a
further 567 persons and also 20 persons from
third countries in accordance with the commitments
given at the EU level. The final number
is likely to be higher, but it depends on the current
migration situation and final agreement
on the number of displaced persons.
Persons with recognised refugee status
have, in Slovenia, a permanent residence permit,
which means that their stay here is unlimited.
Persons granted subsidiary protection have a
temporary residence permit in the Republic of
Slovenia for the duration of protection. Persons
with international protection are, after the acquisition
of the status, immediately resettled
from an asylum home to an integration house
and are included in a starter, three-month
orientation program which involves learning
the basics of the Slovenian language, help with
paperwork and practical knowledge of everyday
life. Once the orientation program is completed,
the individual will be included in the
existing aid schemes, including the 300 hour
program for learning the Slovenian language
and knowing Slovenian society.
Integration is a two-way process that requires
work and effort from both the country
and the society, particularly by the various
organisations and also by those with international
protection. Slovenia has experience
with integration as there are already slightly
less than 300 persons with recognised international
protection in Slovenia. We gained a lot of
good experience in the 1990s when more than
60,000 people from the former Yugoslavia
came to Slovenia.
Q Local animosity towards refugees sometimes
brings threats. How does Slovenia deal with security?
A The Ministry of the Interior is aware that
the success of the integration process significantly
affects the local environment. During
the migratory wave, we were often faced with
the concerns of the local population where the
reception centers for the migrants are located.
We have tried to explain to the locals that we
understand their concern which is, however,
30 The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2016