The drastic reduction of the number of irregular migrants from Lebanon to Cyprus, following an EU-Lebanon agreement is incorporated in the European People’s Party (EPP) Summit conclusions as a tangible sign of the EU’s capabilities to tackle the crucial issue migration, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letympiotis has said.
In a written statement over the participation of President Christodoulides in the EPP Summit ahead of the European Council meeting, Letympiotis also said that the Cypriot President briefed the EPP members over the outcome of the informal dinner with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
According to Letympiotis, the issue of migration consumed a large part of the EPP Summit, adding that the priorities set out by the EPP largely take into account the concerns of the Republic of Cyprus.
‘The role the EU could collectively and cohesively play is now obvious and this was pointed out by President Christodoulides immediately after assumi
ng office,’ he added.
He also highlighted that the EPP conclusions reference the drastic reduction of irregular migrant flows from Lebanon to Cyprus after an EU support package for Beirut, at the initiative of President Christodoulides ‘as a tangible proof of the EU capabilities and mechanisms to tackle this important issue.’
‘Migration is now recognized as one of the most important challenges facing the EU and the need for a two-prong approach is imperative, utilising the New Migration and Asylum Pact on the one hand and the external dimension on the other,’ Letympiotis added.
Source: Cyprus News Agency