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Cyprus[/B] has made significant progress in terms of migration management, "especially as regards returns and readmissions", Home Affairs Commissioner Ilva Johansson told Cypriots, referring also to the need for Turkey to fully implement its obligations under the Joint Declaration and to contacts with countries of origin such as Pakistan.
For his part, Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas referred to the increased pressure on Cyprus, as well as the increase in returns, and the need for Turkey, alongside the support it receives for the management of its own borders, to take concrete steps regarding Cyprus, and the Greek-Turkish and Bulgarian-Turkish borders.
Asked by CNA to comment on what the situation is in the Eastern Mediterranean corridor and in Cyprus in particular on the occasion of the press conference on the proposals for cooperation on migration management in the Western Balkans, Johansson replied that "the Eastern Mediterranean is also a route of great concern".
She said that in the region the EU has so far contributed with the transfer of over 5000 unaccompanied minors, mainly from Greece, referred to the ongoing resettlement processes and added that there is a strong presence in both Greece and Cyprus.
"Of course we have to ensure that Turkey fulfils its role in the framework of the EU-Turkey Joint Declaration, where I have to say that we are asking for more", he added. To give an example, they are performing quite well in terms of returns and readmissions thanks to very close cooperation with the Commission. This is also extremely important in dealing with new arrivals," he continued.
He also mentioned that he had recently visited Pakistan, that one of the reasons for the visit was that there are a lot of crossings of Pakistani citizens through the Green Line, and that he raised the issue at the highest level.
For his part, Schinas noted that the Commission is monitoring the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean very closely, and that what he is observing is a constant fluctuation of flows.
"As far as Cyprus is concerned, we have a very good understanding of the disproportionate pressures that Cyprus, one of our smaller member states, has to face due to the specificities of the Green Line reality," he said.
These pressures are also due to the "suspicious so-called visa arrangements to so-called universities" in the northern part of the island, Schinas added, stating that "we expect our partners to honour their commitments."
"Cyprus is doing a very good job on returns. I think it is now emerging as a champion of returns, and this is a good thing and should continue," he said, adding that the EU can contribute in this direction.
He stressed, however, that Turkey should also take "its share of responsibility, not only in relation to the agreement, but also by ensuring that our support for the management of its eastern border is accompanied by tangible and substantial gestures and measures regarding the situation in Cyprus, in the northern part of Cyprus, and on the Greek-Turkish and Bulgarian-Turkish borders."
As he stressed, both he and Commissioner Johansson, as well as Commissioner Oliver Varheli, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, have raised these issues with the Turkish government and hope that it will comply."
Source: CNA
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