Podgorica, (MINA) – The Government of Montenegro has adopted information on the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), for the purpose of evacuating Montenegrin citizens from the Middle East.

The Government adopted this information on Sunday, based on the consent of the majority of its members.

The information states that, due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28 with joint air strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, there has been significant security instability in the region.

It is emphasized that, in order to repatriate their citizens, 20 EU member states have activated the UCPM.

“With the support of this mechanism, a total of 50 repatriation flights have been planned or carried out, of which 19 flights have already taken place, while the rest are in the planning phase”, the information adds.

The information also notes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a request to the Rescue and protection Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to activate the UCPM for the purpose of repartitioning citizens of Montenegro from the Middle East.

In the information concerning the need to evacuate Montenegrin citizens from several Middle East countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) stated that 215 individuals have registered so far, including 142 Montenegrin nationals and 75 foreign citizens.

According to the data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 210 individuals have been evacuated from the Middle East by two special flights organized by the Montenegrin government, including 41 foreign nationals.

Some of the Montenegrin citizens were also returned on flights organized by partner countries.