Government approves strategy priorities for handling refugee wave

The Czech government on Wednesday approved strategy priorities for handling the crisis caused by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the country. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the cabinet had also created the position of national coordinator, which would be temporarily filled by the minister of the interior, Vít Rakušan.

The PM said the strategy rubberstamped by ministers was still an “open document” which could be amended after discussions, including in the lower house.

It envisages CZK 54 billion being needed to cover the cost of handling the refugee situation, with some of that money due to come from the European Union.

Mr. Rakušan said that after the first wave of the crisis another phase was coming in which long-term solutions would need to be implemented.

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