Education and Science, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Society

Photo: valitsus.ee

The representation of UN/IOM focuses on the identification of Syrian families who have left their homes as a result of violence and war and ensuring their primary needs. Much is done to ensure the continuation of the education of children. "It is remarkable how 700 school buses are kept in operation daily to support children's attendance of school alone," Ratas said according to spokespeople.

The UN/IOM representation engages in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of Germany, which helps to reunite families by means of bringing refugees who have ended up in Turkey together with close relatives living in Germany.

In the afternoon the prime minister of Estonia visited the 2nd Container City of Nizip, where he was offered an in-depth overview of the structure of the city and the living conditions of refugees, including the work of education institutions and the library and the organization of extra-curricular activities for children.

The prime minister was hosted by the mayor of Gaziantep, Fatma Sahin. Being a partner city to Estonia's Tartu, Gaziantep is well informed about life in Estonia and attaches high value to cultural and economic relations. Sahin offered Ratas an in-depth overview of the development of the region, assistance to refugees and the security threats arising from the city's location near the Syrian border.

In the evening, the prime minister of Estonia proceeded to the Turkish capital Ankara, where meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday with Turkey's leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. At the meetings issues of importance to the European Union and Turkey, such as migration and the situation of refugees, security and the fight against terrorism, and also relations between Estonia and Turkey will be discussed.