The Ambassadors of France, Germany and the Netherlands visited the Pournara Migrant Reception Centre[/B] on Monday, acknowledging the difficult situation in which Cyprus finds itself and stressing that the responsibility for migratory flows must be shared by European Union member states.
According to a statement by the German Embassy, French Ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano, German Ambassador Anke Schlimm and Dutch Ambassador Elke Merks-Schaapveld visited the Reception Centre where they were received by officials of the Ministry of Interior as well as the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Security.
The ministry officials briefed them on the situation with a focus on the difficult situation for unaccompanied minors, special safe zones for trafficked women and other vulnerable persons. The Ambassadors toured a new safe zone area that will soon become operational and stressed the importance of providing migrants with decent living conditions and appropriate social care.
The German Ambassador said that "we recognise the difficult situation Cyprus faces in terms of managing the number of irregular migrants in relation to the size and population of the country. Germany is actively supporting Cyprus in its efforts to return those migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected."
She added that at the same time, Germany wants to offer its support to those migrants who are the most vulnerable, especially unaccompanied minors and women who have been victims of human trafficking. "The visit here helps us to understand and identify the needs of those who need humanitarian assistance."
According to the statement, the Dutch Ambassador referred to the difficult situation facing Cyprus and acknowledged the work being done in the reception procedures which still have many challenges. The Netherlands, she said, is supporting Cyprus within Frontex through return advisor secondments.
The French Ambassador also highlighted the difficult situation the Republic of Cyprus is currently facing in terms of managing migratory flows, which are putting disproportionate pressure on the country's capacities. She said that the need for solidarity from other EU member states is evident, adding that there is an important agreement under the French Presidency of the EU Council to make this solidarity a reality and Cyprus should be one of the first countries to benefit from this mechanism, through relocations, assistance for returns but also to improve the living conditions of migrants in facilities such as Pournara.
The three Ambassadors agreed that the responsibility for these migratory flows should be shared among European Union member states and that they will examine with their respective Foreign Ministries a possible further support, the statement concludes.
Source: CNA
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