The first group of asylum seekers to be transferred to another Member State departed today from Rome heading to Sweden, in the framework of the refugee relocation scheme.

Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano attended the departure of refugees.

This group of refugees from Eritrea are the first refugees out of 160,000 expected to be relocated in other countries of European Union.

“I am a bit emotionally charged today. Just five months ago I was in Malta in order to assist at a funeral of desperate refugees who lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea. That was a journey to death.” Mr. Avramopoulos said adding “Now I am in Rome in order to say farewell to some other people, to another journey, but this time a journey of hope.”

He also said that was a small but significant step to show Europe’s solidarity.

“This first relocation exercise is a small step but a significant one – it is symbolic of a Europe that takes responsibility, that shows solidarity and is capable of meeting the challenges before it. Relocations now need to become systematic, routine business in Italy and in Greece.” Mr. Avramopoulos said.