Cyprus Interior Ministry on Saturday said its efforts to control migrant influxes have yielded results and these are reflected on the outcome of the EU Home Affairs Council and the decisions taken on migration have which support the set-up of a burden redistribution mechanism.
The Ministry which described its efforts for the last three years as targeted and painstaking, said that the 27 Ministers, among other things, recognize the particularities of Cyprus and therefore the EU will support in practical ways, the need to create a mechanism, with reference to Cyprus.
According to a press release, the EU yesterday decided that relocations should primarily benefit member states facing the arrival of migrants during search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean and the West Atlantic, taking into consideration the current situation in Cyprus but also the possible developments in the Greek islands.
The Ministry said that Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta, as front-line MS are expected to benefit from this mechanism, as proposed by the French Presidency of the EU, either through the relocation of persons or through the provision of financial and other support.
It also states that despite the questions expressed by a number of member states, it was possible to reach a preliminary agreement on the Regulations on strengthening the EU’s external borders and preventing abusive migratory flows.
The Interior Ministry also said that this development is an important step towards the conclusion of the new Common European Asylum System which will be based on a holistic approach, with a focus on equal distribution of responsibilities and solidarity between member states.
The Ministry notes as equally important the statement made by the European Commissioner Ilva Johansson to the Council, that she raised the issue of illegal crossings from the occupied areas of Cyprus via the Green Line,during her recent visit to Turkey and that she talked with officials in Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are two of the countries with the largest number of asylum seekers in the Republic, asking for their cooperation as to strengthen the procedures for the repatriation of their nationals.
The Ministry also said that the decisions taken will be further discussed during a meeting of the Minister with EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas in Nicosia next Saturday, June 17th.
Source: Cyprus News Agency