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The need for a review of the Syrian regime was reiterated by Interior Minister Mr. Constantinos Ioannou during his intervention in the debate on the external dimension of migration, underlining that the continuous flows by sea are affecting the effectiveness of the measures taken at national level, but also the significant benefits of the implementation so far of the Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan. Ioannou stressed the need to reassess the current status of Syria and to consider the possibility, even on a pilot basis, of designating certain areas of Syria as safe areas, based on an assessment by the European Asylum Agency (EUAA). After such a long period of time, he noted, the European Union (EU) should consider its decisions on the issue, based on the realities that exist today and on the negative data created by the continuation of the current policy. Cyprus' position received considerable support with member states such as Greece, Austria and Sweden in their own interventions agreeing on the need to adopt a new political stance on the issue.
At the same time, the Minister thanked the Commission for its commitment to the implementation of the Action Plan and said that the Plan has had positive results, particularly with regard to irregular flows from Turkey to Cyprus via the Green Line. We hope, he noted, that this reduction will continue and we look forward to a mutually beneficial implementation of the EU statement on Turkey, in which Turkey will act in good faith to prevent irregular migration flows.
At the same time, analysing the situation in the region, he expressed serious concern about the situation in Gaza and the migratory pressure on Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt and the ability of these countries to stop it.
In particular, referring to Lebanon, Ioannou said that the country already hosts more than 1.5 million Syrians and, as evidenced by the flows arriving in Cyprus from the country, seems to be at its limits in terms of its capacity to manage the situation. In the same context, he also underlined the importance of establishing strategic partnerships with key countries in the immediate neighbourhood and the need to strengthen cooperation with countries of origin in order to address the root causes of the phenomenon.
During his stay in Brussels, Mr. Ioannou, who returns to Cyprus tomorrow, also had a meeting with the Cypriot Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms Stella Kyriakidou.
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