Human migration

The European Union's top migration official is urging EU member states to back a temporary plan to quickly get migrants off boats in the Mediterranean Sea and distribute them among willing countries.

Greek authorities were transferring around 570 migrants from an overcrowded camp on the island of Lesvos on Sunday, officials said.

A regularly scheduled ferry left Lesvos Sunday evening carrying the migrants, who used to live in the migrant camp of Moria.

Turkish interior minister on Oct. 3 hosted Greek migration minister to discuss migration crisis in the eastern Mediterranean.

The organizers are the chairpersons of the internal and external commission in the National Assembly, together with the International Center for Migration Policy Development.

Among the topics to be discussed are Bulgaria's expectations for a comprehensive approach to the problem and ways of overcoming the political impasse surrounding pan-European migration policy.

The Labor and Social Affairs Ministry is seeking ways to improve living conditions for thousands of refugee children staying in Greece without a parent or guardian as they wait to either be granted asylum or reunited with family in other parts of Europe.

She stated that Russian delegation in Sochi consisted of 200 members, who were regularly issued visas in the past.
Zakharova had commented on Facebook on the reaction of US officials who stated that they had reviewed every single visa request, adding that the procedure is confidential, and that they have taken this duty "quite seriously".

Approximately 15,000 UK citizens have applied to get residence permits in Cyprus since the 2016 UK EU membership referendum. Currently a total of 32,281 residence permits for UK citizens are in force.

Russia will provide e-visas for trips to St. Petersburg and Leningrad region as of Oct. 1. Foreign nationals, including citizens of Turkey, will be able to get single-entry electronic visas for trips to St. Petersburg and Leningrad region for trade, humanitarian and touristic travels.

Zahra is a 10-year-old girl from Syria who arrived in Greece alone. She suffers from chronic nephropathy. Although she is currently living in a shelter for unaccompanied minors, her official registration by the Asylum Service is still pending.

The total number of migrants worldwide has reached approximately 272 million this year, which is 51 million more than in 2010. At present, migrants make up 3.5% of the global population, compared to 2.8% in 2000. Data are from the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UN DESA).