Migration discussed during Austrian chancellor’s official Cyprus visit (update)

Bilateral relations, the need to increase the energy independence of the European Union and their views on migration were among the issues discussed during talks between President Nicos Anastasiades and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who is paying an official visit to the island.

“Your visit today is an important milestone in the relations between our countries, as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Austria,” Anastasiades said.

He added that the visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm their common commitment to further promote friendship and the enduring ties between Cyprus and Austria.

Referring to the energy crisis, Anastasiades pointed out the need to find ways to maximise the EU’s decoupling through connectivity projects to which Cyprus can contribute.

At the same time, Anastasiades said he briefed the Austrian Chancellor on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the problems faced by the Greek Cypriot side due to the intransigent stance of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

“We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus, especially with regard to its maritime zones,” Nehammer said.

Anastasiades made special reference to the issue of migration, with which both countries face a serious problem, noting that Cyprus in particular faces a huge issue due to the migration flows and asylum seekers, which Turkey encourages to flow into the free areas, stressing that asylum seekers amount to 5 percent of the island’s population.

In his own remarks, Nehammer said that the relations between the two countries are very strong, and referring to the migration issue, he noted that Cyprus and Austria face a similar serious problem, stressing the need for the EU’s asylum policy to change and become more effective.

“We need to work together to see what the system for asylum seekers in Europe is and maybe we need a new plan.”

“We should do it, not just talk,” Nehammer added, stressing that states like Cyprus and Austria are currently suffering from this pressure. “We have to solve the problems for ourselves,” he stressed.

Earlier in the day, Nehammer, laid a wreath at the monument to the fallen Austrian peacekeepers in Koshi.

Nehammer, accompanied by Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner, arrived at the Memorial of the Fallen in Koshi where they were received by Cyprus’ Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides and the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis.

The Austrian chancellor laid a wreath at the spot where on August 14, 1974, three Austrian Unficyp members lost their lives after a Turkish fighter aircraft attack.

The ceremony concluded with a minute’s silence in memory of the victims.

Nehammer also carried out a walking tour of the Green Line area in Nicosia during the day.

Later in the evening, Anastasiades hosted a formal dinner in honour of the Austrian Chancellor.