The next challenge for the European Union is an agreement on migration with Lebanon, emphasized Margaritis Schinas, the Vice-President of the European Commission, who stated that the political will exists and is given in this direction.
In joint statements with the Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Schinas mentioned that the EU must definitely proceed, after the very successful agreement with Egypt that followed the one with Tunisia, towards a similar approach with Lebanon.
He highlighted the positive consequences such an agreement would have for Cyprus and expressed his belief that the political will exists and is given in this direction.
However, he said that for this to happen, the parameters of this agreement must be stabilized and special preparation is needed.
“But I think it is entirely realistic to move in a similar way towards Lebanon,” he said.
Regarding Cyprus’s request for the delisting of certain areas in Syria to be considered safe, he stated that this is a decision that is fully evolving, and the competence lies with the European Asylum Agency, which re-evaluates third countries under this prism. He added that based on the contributions of the member states, Cyprus has the opportunity to articulate its policy priorities in this process.
He noted that it is a complex but viable process, and through it, they can continue to work towards the direction Cyprus would like.
He also added that small Cyprus is emerging as a “European champion of returns” with significant successes, 60% more returns, a figure that “says it all.”
On his part, Minister of Interior Konstantinos Ioannou stated that it is the conviction of several states that it is time, about 13 years later, “to collectively dare to put the finger on the wound regarding Syria.”
Now, as he said, more than any other time, with the geopolitical developments unfolding in our region and the visible risk of escalation of the conflict towards Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East, a joint political decision is required.
He added that the assessment of the competent European body, the European Asylum Agency, can be utilised for specific areas.
He further said that intertwined with the massive arrivals of Syrian migrants is the finding that organized trafficking networks transport and exploit human lives.
“The recent tragedies with the loss of children on boats travelling to Cyprus intensify our concern and necessitate decisive actions to dismantle the networks of traffickers. Recognizing that this is a form of organized crime that we must combat with all available means, we have proceeded to establish a special unit within the Cyprus Police, with the exclusive mission of locating and arresting traffickers,” he noted.
The inter-ministerial meeting was also attended by the Ministers of Education, Justice, Health, as well as the Deputy Ministers of Social Welfare and Culture.
