On 1 July 2016 Croatia received the first group of migrants - four Eritreans arriving from Italy, in line with the European Union relocation scheme.

The migrants were greeted by the Minister of the Interior Mr. Vlaho Orepić, Head of EU Representation in Croatia Mr. Branko Baričević, as well as the volunteers of UNICEF and the Red Cross.

"Selam alejkum. Welcome to Croatia…We'll do everything to make your life easier and to relieve the troubles which made you venture on this journey" said the Minister to the migrants upon their arrival. Mr. Orepić added that the second group of migrants to be relocated to Croatia is expected to arrive in mid-July 2016.

One of the migrants, Mr. Abdul Rahmani, was interviewed by the journalists and said that he was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome on behalf of Croatian officials and that he hoped to remain in Croatia for a long time.

Croatia has agreed to accept 1,583 migrants by the end of 2017. The migrants will be arriving gradually with several dozen expected in the coming months.

The migrants arriving under this scheme will be temporarily accommodated at the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Zagreb.