‘EU acknowledges magnitude of migration problem facing Cyprus’

The European Council has acknowledged the magnitude of the problem facing the Republic of Cyprus due to the extremely high migration flows it receives, government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said on Friday.

EU leaders, among other things, called for swift work on the proposal for measures against transport operators that facilitate or engage in trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants in relation to illegal entry into the territory of the EU.

Commenting on the conclusions of the European Council (EUCO), whose work concluded late on Thursday, Pelekanos said some references in the document and also during the leaders’ discussion, were of special importance for Cyprus.

As far as immigration is concerned, he added, during the discussion “there was a universal recognition by our partners of the magnitude of the problem facing the Republic of Cyprus, as a result of the extremely increased migration flows that it has to face.”

“It was also acknowledged that a significant part of the problem is due to asylum seekers coming from safe countries of origin, and whom Turkey systematically channels through the occupied areas, to the free areas of Cyprus,” he added.

The EUCO called on the council of ministers and the Commission to consider ways to strengthen cooperation arrangements to support member states facing specific challenges at the EU’s external borders, including as regards border guards and aerial surveillance.

Cyprus, Pelekanos said, is one of those member states facing “specific challenges” that require “individualised” solutions, according to a recent joint letter from the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Latvia, Estonia, Austria and Lithuania to the presidents of the European Commission and the EUCO.

The European Council also calls on the Commission and the High Representative, together with member states, to take swift action to ensure effective returns to safe third countries of origin of persons not entitled to international protection. “This measure would be one of those that, under certain conditions, could alleviate the problem for Cyprus,” Pelekanos said.

The European Council reiterates its condemnation of attempts by third countries to take advantage of migrants for political purposes and stressed the need to develop tools to address this issue.

The EU leaders also discussed the “worsening epidemiological situation in the EU and the impact of the emergence of Omicron.” It reiterated the vital importance of vaccination in the fight against the pandemic stressed that “rolling out vaccination to all and deploying booster doses are crucial and urgent.”

In that context, it said, overcoming vaccine hesitancy, including by addressing disinformation, remains key. The leaders agreed that, in addition to vaccination, the implementation of the EU strategy on Covid-19 therapeutics, including joint procurement, should be taken forward.

The EUCO also strongly condemned taking advantage of migrants and refugees by the Belarusian regime and the humanitarian crisis it has created. The EU, they said, “will continue to counter the hybrid attack launched by Belarus with a determined response, addressing all dimensions of the crisis in line with EU law and international obligations, including fundamental rights.” It also reiterated its call on the Belarusian authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for an end to the repression of civil society and independent media.