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More than 105 thousand visas have been granted to Venezuelan citizens, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador
Posted On 09 Apr 2019
Ecuadornews:
The chancellor of Ecuador, José Valencia, mentioned the figures of IOM and UNHCR, which show that up to the present date, April 2019, during the last 4 years, around 3.5 million Venezuelan citizens have left their country of origin. In the case of Ecuador, he said, more than 1 million people entered and 250 thousand have settled, although the number could reach 300 thousand, if people without registration are included. He also announced that more than 105,000 visas have been granted to Venezuelan citizens.
“We continue to work decisively to ensure the orderly and safe incorporation of migrants into Ecuadorian society, even in the midst of the difficult budgetary circumstances and economic resources facing the Ecuadorian State at the present time,” Valencia confirmed.
The announcement was made within the framework of the III International Technical Meeting on Human Mobility of Venezuelan Citizens in the Region, which described it as “a demonstration of the humanitarian commitment of Ecuador and of the States present with Venezuelan migrants in a situation of human mobility.”
The event was inaugurated with the participation of 12 participating countries and 13 observers, as well as United Nations agencies and international and financial organizations. The attending countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
“It is a commitment that began in Quito 9 months ago and that reflects our interest and the political will of our governments to work together on technical and humanitarian issues, which demands articulating a coordinated response to the crisis, which is derived of the largest and most sudden migratory movement registered in South America in the history of our nations, “reiterated the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister.
He thanked the Government of Argentina for its willingness to host the IV International Technical Meeting of the Quito Process in Buenos Aires, on a date to be determined this year.
The Joint Special Representative of UNHCR and IOM for Venezuelan refugees and migrants highlighted the support of the participating countries for bringing to the III Meeting harmonized and consistent protection responses and seeking relief for the Venezuelan population by mobilizing throughout the region. “This must continue in the determined, articulated and supportive manner that it has had until now. Within the framework of our mandate, please be assured that we will continue to support governments in the efforts made to consolidate the Quito Process and in the implementation of the goals and objectives to guarantee effective assistance and protection responses for these people “, he added.
The Ecuadorian Minister invited the countries present to the XII Summit Meeting of the Global Forum for Migration and Development, to be held in Quito, next November. (I)
