Frontex offers to help Poland return Iraqi refugees who entered via Belarus

BRUSSELS

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) wants to help Poland return Iraqi refugees who entered the country via Belarus, the agency's director said Thursday.

Fabrice Leggeri said at a session of the European Parliament that there are 1,700 Iraqis who potentially can be sent back.

Frontex offered to organize charter flights to return the Iraqis and asked the European Commission to put pressure on Baghdad to accept them, he added.

The European Union announced that it will initiate diplomatic efforts to resolve the refugee crisis on the Poland-Belarus border.

The president of the European Commission assigned Vice President Margaritis Schinas to visit Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Beirut and Erbil to help resolve the crisis.

Frontex and pushbacks

In July, the European Parliament announced findings of an investigation concerning Frontex’s alleged role in pushbacks of migrants.

The report said Frontex was not directly involved in violations of basic rights but its efforts in preventing human rights infractions and reducing risks were not sufficient.

Because of the findings, Legeri said the agency evaluated suggestions and will start to apply them beginning next year.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk