Romanians caught in the violence in Belfast: 41 citizens, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to return to the country. Oana Țoiu: “Ensuring security was the main priority”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announces that it has provided consular support for 41 Romanian citizens affected by the recent violence in Northern Ireland and has issued 15 travel documents to return to Romania, most of them intended for minors without valid travel documents.
Cars and houses destroyed in Belfast Photo: Profimedia
According to the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Țoiu, the Romanian authorities have prioritized ensuring a climate of security for Romanian citizens in the area, in the context in which lists of addresses of foreign citizens, including from Romanian communities, have been circulating online, which has amplified the security risks.
“The protests in Northern Ireland have also generated risks regarding the safety of Romanian citizens and we are in direct contact with the authorities managing the situation, we appreciate the good collaboration and responsible calls for calm. From the outbreak of the crisis until now, the MAE, through diplomatic missions and consular offices, maintains contact with the Romanian community and with the authorities, both local and line ministries“, transmitted Oana Țoiu.
The official stated that some of the affected families are already returning to Romania, and the Consulate General of Romania in Edinburgh is continuing the efforts to identify and support the affected citizens. So far, 15 travel documents have been issued, mostly for minors.
The MAE shows that, in total, 11 requests for consular assistance were handled, targeting 41 Romanian citizens, of which 17 are minors, as well as a citizen of the European Union, a family member of a Romanian.
“Ensuring a climate of security in the area was the priority conveyed by Romania's diplomatic mission, including in the context in which lists of addresses where foreign citizens live, including from areas with Romanian communities, circulated in the online environment. Some of the families are returning home. So far, travel documents have been issued, especially for minors without a passport“, transmitted Oana Țoiu.
In parallel, the Romanian Embassy in Dublin intervened for consular support, and the Consul General of Romania in Edinburgh, Andreea Berechet, went to Belfast, where she talked with families affected by the violence and with the local authorities.
During the visit, the representative of Romania participated in meetings with the Police of Northern Ireland, community organizations and government officials, where they discussed security measures and the addition of law enforcement to de-escalate the situation.
The MFA emphasizes that the local authorities have intensified the presence of the police in the affected areas, in the context of the violent protests that broke out in Belfast.
The Ministry recommends Romanian citizens in Northern Ireland to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and to follow the directions of the police. For emergency situations, the telephone lines of the diplomatic missions in Dublin and Edinburgh are available.
Violence broke out in Belfast on Tuesday night during anti-immigrant demonstrations, a day after a knife attack attributed to a Sudanese refugee sparked major tensions.
The protests quickly degenerated: a bus and several cars were set on fire, and several homes were engulfed in flames, according to international media. Residents of the affected areas were urgently evacuated.
