Ambassadors of France, Germany and the Netherlands visited the Pournara Reception Centre on Monday and agreed that the responsibility of the migration flows need to be shared within the European Union member states.
According to a press release by the German Embassy, the Ambassador of France, Salina Grenet-Catalano, the Ambassador of Germany, Anke Schlimm, and the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Elke Merks-Schaapveld visited the Pournara Reception Centre where they were received by officials of the Ministry of Interior as well as the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.
The officials gave them a thorough insight into the current situation in Pournara. Special attention was given to the difficult situation for unaccompanied minors, special safe zones for women who have become victims of trafficking and other vulnerable persons. The ambassadors toured a new safe zone area that will soon be put into operation and stressed the importance of providing migrants with decent living conditions and proper social care:
“We acknowledge the difficult situation that Cyprus faces with regards to the management of irregular migration numbers in relation to the country´s size and population. Germany is actively supporting Cyprus in its efforts to return those migrants whose asylum applications have been denied. At the same time, Germany wants to offer its support to those migrants who are the most vulnerable, especially unaccompanied minors and women who have become victims of human trafficking. The visit at Pournara Camp today helps us understand and identify the needs of those who require humanitarian assistance” the German Ambassador said.
According to the press release, the Ambassador of the Netherlands similarly referred to the difficult situation that Cyprus faces, and acknowledged the work done on the reception processes, that remain challenging. The Netherlands has been supporting Cyprus within the framework of Frontex through secondments of return counselors.
The Ambassador of France also highlighted the difficult situation the Republic of Cyprus currently faces in handling migration flows, which have put a disproportional pressure on the country’s capabilities. She said that the need for solidarity coming from other EU member states is evident, adding that an important agreement has been found under the French Presidency of the EU Council in order to make that solidarity a reality and Cyprus should be one of the first beneficiary of this mechanism, through relocations, assistance regarding returns and also so as to improve the living conditions of migrants in facilities such as Pournara.
The three Ambassadors agreed that the responsibility of these migration flows need to be shared within the European Union member states and will examine with their respective Foreign Ministries possible further support, the press release ends.
Source: Cyprus News Agency