Enhanced surveillance of the EU’s external borders with a special provision for the Green Line in Cyprus was the focus of the joint declaration of the MED5 summit of the ministers of interior and migration of Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus in Paphos.
The ministers of the five EU frontline countries reached a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 4th ministerial meeting, ahead of the European Council meeting in Luxembourg on October 14 which will assess current developments and challenges in the field of asylum and migration.
According to the declaration, this week’s summit discussed the internal and external dimension of European migration policy aiming for a “holistic approach for the effective management of asylum and migration”.
The work of the summit was welcomed by Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson via teleconference, while the Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, was also present. The Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, also participated by teleconference.
In the declaration, the MED 5 express their appreciation for the joint roadmap of the rotating presidencies of the council and the European Parliament to reach a comprehensive and balanced agreement on the Pact on Immigration and Asylum.
However, they underlined that progress in the negotiations must respect a balanced approach and encourage all parties to engage in a “frank dialogue” to achieve a “truly common system of asylum and migration management”.
Welcoming the discussion launched by the Czech presidency on fair sharing and flexible responsibility, the MED 5 highlighted the need for a compulsory solidarity mechanism. They also called for tangible progress on this issue to “cover all needs through solidarity contributions”, in particular as regards “border management, through increased surveillance at origin and deterrence of illegal crossings”.
The declaration particularly stresses the need for the management of the EU’s external borders.
In this context, the MED 5 also refers to the case of Cyprus and the Green Line, which, it says, should be adequately managed, “due to the specific circumstances that apply, despite the fact that the Green Line is not an external border of the EU”.
Furthermore, the MED 5 call on the European Commission and member states to “take into account the specificities arising from geographical circumstances and geopolitical developments” for frontline members. The “hybrid threats and instrumentalisation tactics” of migration by “some neighbouring countries”, in particular since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, were also noted.
The EU must, according to the MED 5, “remain consistent with all partners, investing in the development of meaningful and long-term partnerships, in particular with key countries of origin and transit”, both for the prevention of irregular migration flows and for effective returns.
“We call on the commission and the council to finally recognise the increased tasks assigned to frontline member states and the additional tasks arising in the area of migration management, reception, asylum and integration,” the MED 5 declaration said.
It called for measures to ensure a balance between solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities. They also reaffirmed their “full commitment” to fulfilling their obligations in accordance with international law and the European acquis.
On Friday, ministers highlighted the alarming increase in the migratory flows into Europe, with Interior Minister Nicos Nouris saying Cyprus faces a disproportionately larger issue compared to other member states.
The ministers of the five EU frontline countries reached a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 4th ministerial meeting, ahead of the European Council meeting in Luxembourg on October 14 which will assess current developments and challenges in the field of asylum and migration.
According to the declaration, this week’s summit discussed the internal and external dimension of European migration policy aiming for a “holistic approach for the effective management of asylum and migration”.
The work of the Summit was welcomed by Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson via teleconference, while the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, Vit Rakusan, was also present. The Italian Minister of the Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, also participated by teleconference.
In the declaration, the MED 5 express their appreciation for the joint roadmap of the rotating presidencies of the council and the European Parliament to reach a comprehensive and balanced agreement on the Pact on Immigration and Asylum.
However, they underlined that progress in the negotiations must respect a balanced approach and encourage all parties to engage in a “frank dialogue” to achieve a “truly common system of asylum and migration management”.
Welcoming the discussion launched by the Presidency on fair sharing and flexible responsibility, the MED 5 highlighted the need for a compulsory solidarity mechanism. They also called for tangible progress on this issue to “cover all needs through solidarity contributions”, in particular as regards “border management, through increased surveillance at origin and deterrence of illegal crossings”.
The declaration particularly stresses the need for the management of the EU’s external borders.
In this context, the MED 5 also refer to the case of Cyprus and the Green Line, which, it says, should be adequately managed, “due to the specific circumstances that apply, despite the fact that the Green Line is not an external border of the EU”.
Furthermore, the MED 5 called on the Commission and Member States to “take into account the specificities arising from geographical circumstances and geopolitical developments” for frontline Member States. The “hybrid threats and instrumentalisation tactics” of migration by “some neighbouring countries”, in particular since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, were also noted.
The EU must, according to the MED 5, “remain consistent with all partners, investing in the development of meaningful and long-term partnerships, in particular with key countries of origin and transit”, both for the prevention of irregular migration flows and for effective returns.
It also stresses the “need to assess the real conditions in countries of origin and transit currently considered precarious”, as well as to ensure that available resources are channelled to those who genuinely need protection.
“We call on the commission and the council to finally recognise the increased tasks assigned to frontline Member States and the additional tasks arising in the area of migration management, reception, asylum and integration,” the MED 5 Declaration said.
It called for measures to ensure a balance between solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities. They also reaffirmed their “full commitment” to fulfilling their obligations in accordance with international law and the European acquis.
In his own statements, Cypriot Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said the proposal concerning Cyprus aims primarily to end the exploitation of migrants by traffickers, which exposes them to increased risks, particularly at sea, without depriving them, as he said, of the right to seek asylum.
Under the proposal, he continued, the option would be given to submit the asylum application either in the country of origin or in the country of trafficking, in a manner that does not expose the applicant to danger and when they receive a response from the state to which they apply, then to safely travel there.
On Friday, ministers highlighted the alarming increase in the migratory flows into Europe, with Nouris saying Cyprus faces a disproportionately larger issue compared to other member states.
