Belgium confirms details of repatriation operation in Middle East, requests EU backing
A repatriation operation for Belgian travellers stranded in the Middle East will begin on Friday, Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke and Defence minister Theo Francken confirmed after Thursday's National Security Council meeting on the escalating conflict in the region. It has also requested the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission confirmed.
Following the meeting, minister Francken confirmed that the repatriation operation for tourists and business travellers would start on Friday. They will be transported by bus to Muscat, the capital of Oman. They will then fly to Hurghada in Egypt, from where they will continue on to Belgium. There are currently no plans to evacuate Belgian nationals living permanently in the region.
Prime minister Bart De Wever is expected to address the situation during a plenary session in the Chamber on Thursday afternoon, while Foreign minister Maxime Prévot will provide further details on the repatriation effort. Prévot was not present at the council, as he attended a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU and the Gulf States.
EU financial support
The European Commission also confirmed on Thursday that Belgium has requested the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism to help evacuate nationals stranded in the region. This mechanism allows the EU to co-finance part of the repatriation effort.
Under the scheme, the EU can cover up to 75 per cent of repatriation costs for national flights, provided that at least 30 per cent of available seats are offered to citizens of other EU countries. If no member state is able to assist, the European Commission can also organise flights through the rescEU mechanism.
"The EU stands by its people and will spare no effort to get them home safe and sound"
Ten member states - Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Austria - have so far activated the mechanism. The European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has already supported six repatriation flights, returning EU citizens to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. Further flights are expected in the coming days.
"From day one, we have been fully mobilised to bring home the hundreds of thousands of Europeans stranded in the Middle East through our EU Civil Protection Mechanism," said Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management. "The EU stands by its people and will spare no effort to get them home safe and sound."
Defence minister Theo Francken and chief of defence Frederik Vansina ahead of the National Security Council meeting. © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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