“Lithuania is ready to welcome refugees, to the extent that it has committed to,” Butkevičius told Žinių Radijas on Thursday morning. “Institutions are coordinating their actions, the refugee centre in Rukla has been given more resources, institutions have divided up responsibilities.”
“It is a complex process, but integration is possible, but requires much effort, the society as a whole must join in,” Butkevičius added.
He said that the Schengen area should be able to withstand pressure of the refugee crisis, but the European Union must strengthen the protection of its external borders.
As part of the EU’s effort to deal with the refugee crisis, Lithuania has committed to resettle 1,105 migrants over two years.
So far, only one Iraqi family has come to Lithuania under the programme.
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