Influx of refugees prompts Macedonia amend asylum law, says deputy foreign minister

Budapest (MTI) – An influx of refugees has been a serious problem for every country in Europe, to which Macedonia responded by amending its asylum law, the country’s deputy foreign minister said in Budapest on Monday.

Dragana Kiprijanovska spoke about Macedonia’s current affairs at a roundtable discussion hosted by the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The amendment ensures illegal immigrants the option to first register with the authorities, she said. This allows them to obtain a temporary refugee status for three days during which they can either apply for asylum or leave the country, the Macedonian minister added.

Macedonia is not a destination but a transit route for people on their way to western Europe, she said, adding that this measure alone will not solve the problem overall.

The refugee issue must be resolved at a European level, Kiprijanovska said.