The Republic of Cyprus will take steps to Brussels and internationally, at a technocratic and political level, in order to understand the immigration problem in its true dimensions and to ensure, both in terms of EU legislation and politically, the necessary assistance for to tackle the problem effectively.
According to a joint statement issued today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior, an inter-ministerial meeting was held yesterday between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulidis, and Nikos Nouris, with the participation of experts from the two Ministries, focusing on discussion and coordination. more effective promotion of the positions of the Republic of Cyprus in the context of the discussion of the New Immigration Pact of the European Union.
According to the announcement, in terms of the internal dimension, the seriousness of the immigration problem and the disproportionate weight of the migration flows that Cyprus bears as a first line country were highlighted again. Cyprus, due to its peculiarities as a semi-occupied state with an island character, is for the fourth consecutive year the Member State of the European Union that receives the most asylum applications by proportion of population. The percentage of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection amounts to 4% of the population, a particularly large percentage, since the corresponding figure in the other MS is around 1%.
It was also pointed out that the vast majority of migrant flows originate in Turkey, which does not implement any agreed framework for dealing with migration towards Cyprus and with its attitude has created, instead of preventing, a new migration route in the eastern Mediterranean that burdens the Cyprus, with the result that the Republic of Cyprus is subject to excessive burden which essentially puts the national asylum system to the test. It was stressed that there is a need, both the European Commission and the relevant international organizations, taking into account all the special circumstances that prevail, to help to find immediate practical solutions to prevent illegal flows and ensure legal returns.
In this context, the two Ministers drafted a specific action plan and agreed on joint steps of the two Ministries, at all levels, technocratic and political, to Brussels and internationally, in order to understand the problem in its true dimensions and to ensure the Cyprus Democracy, both in terms of EU legislation and politics, the assistance needed to tackle the problem effectively.
It was agreed that immigration would be high on the agenda of contacts between the two Ministers, which will be in constant coordination, in view of the Jumbo Council that Brussels announced to be held on March 15 (Joint Council of Foreign and Interior Ministers), as well as and the general discussions about Turkey concerning the institutions and partners.
