The Belgian government has warned Nigerians desirous of transplanting themselves to Europe in search of greener pastures, to reconsider their plans.
The warning was handed down by the Director-General of the Belgian Office for Foreigners, Mr Freddy Roosemont on Friday at a press conference in Abuja.
Roosemont claimed the grass is not greener in Europe urging intending migrants to drop the idea of relocation.
Highlighting the challenges inherent in moving to Europe, he said, “The dream is not real; it’s not easy to survive in Europe without a decent job. The dream is fake.
“Belgium is not the land of milk and honey, nor is Europe. This was not the case before, but is even less so now, in a world with many crisis hotspots with severe economic consequences.
“Asylum is determined on the basis of the Geneva Convention and economic motives are not included.
“Therefore the recognition rate for asylum is very low and the chances of obtaining a residence permit are almost non-existent.
“As a consequence, people are forced to live in irregular stay, without a social safety net, in precarious conditions. They risk economic exploitation and women risk ending up in prostitution.”
