‘Cyprus could take decisions on migration issue that are not liked’

Decisions on migration might be made that “are not liked”, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday, after it was announced Lebanon would not be taking migrants back from Cyprus.

“I have two crucial meetings, on Sunday with the President of the EU Commission, we are in telephone contact, also at a technical level, and on Monday I will be in Lebanon,” he said.

Depending on the outcome of the meetings with the president of the European Commission and the prime minister of Lebanon in the coming days, decisions will be implemented, which may not be pleasant, but have the sole aim of safeguarding the interests of the Republic of Cyprus and the security of its citizens, Christodoulides said commenting on migratory flows, addressing an event for the inauguration of the “Mediterranean” Artists’ Park in the Turkish Cypriot  neighbourhood of ‘Skala’ in Larnaca.

Asked to comment on the fact that the migratory flows to Cyprus continue for the sixth consecutive day and to specify when measures could be activated which, according to his previous statements, are on the table and may not be liked, Christodoulides said that he is well aware of Lebanon’s positions, the positions of some EU member states in relation to the situation in Syria, as well as Cyprus’ international obligations, but that he is obliged to safeguard the interests and security of Cyprus and its citizens.

Earlier in the day four migrant boats were spotted off the coasts of Cyprus.