Cyprus is ready to respond to events like the recent tragedy off the coast of Pylos in Greece, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou said on Friday.

The minister’s statement came on the heels of an urgent message to the EU by the UN general secretary Antonio Guterres, who said that the time has come to define an effective immigration policy, so as to avoid similar tragic accidents in future.

Asked on CyBC’s morning programme whether Cyprus would have the capacity to respond to an incident of this magnitude off its coast, Ioannou’s response was affirmative, saying that authorities have already responded to incidents of this nature in the past.

“Sometimes boat operators compromise [the seaworthiness of] the boat on purpose upon approaching a port, so that it’s not possible to be turned back,” the minister detailed.

“The Republic’s services and authorities are in a state of readiness to conduct search and rescue operations at sea,” Ioannou said.

“In the event of an endangered vessel making its way into Cypriot waters, it is mandated to be escorted by port police to dry land, even if the occupants attempt to refuse aid and continue on their journey,” the minister explained.

While the situation is clear for vessels arriving in Cypriot waters, there is also a duty, according to international law, for the rescue of people deemed to be in danger at sea in international waters.

“The European border and coast guard agency (Frontex) is on standby to offer auxiliary services should the need arise,” Ioanou said.

The minister reiterated his conviction that frontline states will be able to far more efficiently process asylum applicants following a recent agreement on long-contested issues within the EUs new pact on migration and asylum, despite misgivings from certain quarters.

The creation of a new deputy ministry on migrants is also expected to streamline and speed up procedures with vastly improved coordination of services, including social welfare, the minister said.

“It would be ideal if the proposal could be discussed sooner rather than later in Parliament, before the summer break, perhaps in July,” the minister concluded, adding he did not foresee any complication or opposition to the plan.