Ολοκληρώθηκε αργά χθες βράδυ η Σύνοδος του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου με την υιοθέτηση Συμπερασμάτων για την παρούσα κατάσταση σε σχέση με την πανδημία κορωνοϊού, το μεταναστευτικό, την αύξηση του κόστους της ενέργειας, θέματα άμυνας και ασφάλειας, τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις σε σχέση με τη Λευκορωσία και την Ουκρανία, τη διοργάνωση της Συνόδου Κορυφής ΕΕ-Αφρικανικής Ένωσης τον ερχόμενο Φεβρουάριο, κ.ο.κ.
"I would like to focus on specific points that are particularly important for Cyprus, based on the outcome of the long discussion between the EU Leaders, as well as the text of the Conclusions that have been adopted," the Government Spokesman said in a statement.
"As regards immigration, during the discussion there was universal recognition by our partners of the magnitude of the problem facing the Republic of Cyprus, as a consequence of the extremely increased migratory flows it has to deal with. It was also acknowledged that a significant part of the problem is due to asylum seekers from safe countries of origin, who are systematically pushed by Turkey through occupied territories into the free areas of Cyprus."
In light of the above, the European Council:
(a) Calls on the Council of Ministers and the European Commission to examine ways to support Member States facing specific challenges at the external borders of the Union. One of these Member States facing specific challenges requiring "tailor-made" solutions is Cyprus, as mentioned in a recent joint letter from the Leaders of Cyprus, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Latvia, Estonia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Lithuania to the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council.
(b) Calls on the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs to take swift action to ensure effective returns to safe third countries of origin of persons who are not beneficiaries of international protection. This would be one of the measures that, under certain conditions, could alleviate the problem for Cyprus.
(c) Condemns attempts by third countries to instrumentalise migrants and underlines the need to develop policies to address the instrumentalisation of migrants. It also calls for work to be undertaken towards making proposals for measures to be taken against carriers (including airlines) involved in channelling irregular migrants into European territory.
.In addition, the European Council,
- In light of the complex threats presented, decided that the EU should take greater responsibility for its own defence and security and increase its capacity to act autonomously in order to be able to meet the various challenges.
- Given the deteriorating epidemiological situation in the EU, reiterates the vital importance of vaccination to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Vaccination coverage for all and the administration of the third (booster) dose of the vaccine is crucial.
- Reiterates its determination to strengthen EU cooperation with the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood (i.e. Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) to address common challenges and opportunities.
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