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- Ελληνικά
On the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting held in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 16-17 May 2024, the participating Member States, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Greece, Italy, Malta and Poland, reaffirm their mutual commitment to strengthen joint efforts to address the challenges arising from irregular migration. Therefore, we agreed on the following points, as part of a realistic and sustainable approach to the external dimension of the Union's migration policy, with a particular focus on Syria and the overall dynamics:
- The recent adoption of the Pact on Immigration and Asylum undoubtedly marks the beginning of an effort to achieve a common European response to the challenges of migration and asylum. However, the effectiveness of our migration policies depends to a significant extent on the decisions and actions taken in the external dimension of migration. The reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy must therefore continue with a stronger focus on the external dimension of migration.
- Irregular migration, trafficking in persons, instrumentalisation and hybrid threats against the Union, including those posed by foreign governments, cannot be tolerated. We are entrusted with safeguarding and preserving the principles of our Union, including respect for the fundamental values of life, international law and international humanitarian law. Decisions about who has the right to cross the borders of a Member State must be made by the Government of that State and not by networks of criminals involved in the trafficking of migrants and human beings. The tragic loss of human lives at sea must end and, at the same time, trafficking networks must be dismantled and those responsible brought to justice.
- We reaffirm the need to intensify our joint efforts in relation to the external dimension of migration and to identify and pursue realistic actions, following the conclusions of the Extraordinary European Council of 9 February 2023. Recent regional geopolitical developments are an additional reason to find constructive ways to address the challenges we face. We recognise the burden borne by friendly third countries, which have received a large number of displaced persons due to their geographical location, as well as their important role as the last bastion before the irregular arrival of migrants in the Union. We stress the need to provide support to them in order to strengthen their capacities, including through equipment, training and other forms of cooperation, in order to enhance their efforts to cope with irregular migration flows and provide protection.
- We strongly believe that existing cooperation and capacity building with Lebanon should continue and EU support should be further extended in order to reduce the risk of even greater flows from Lebanon to the EU. We therefore welcome the recent announcement by the President of the Commission, following her visit to Lebanon, which is a first immediate step in the right direction.
- In this context, the case of Syria comes to the fore and we need to take into account the ongoing situation in the country. We fully accept the need to offer support to those in need, in accordance with our obligations under international law. It is indisputable that, when the war broke out in 2011 and in the years of harsh military action that followed, the Syrian population that fled abroad was rightly granted international protection, in accordance with the applicable rules of international law. However, since then many circumstances have changed and, 13 years later, while it is recognised that full political stability has not been achieved, the situation in Syria has evolved significantly.
- In the light of the above, the participating Member States agreed on the need to reassess the situation, taking into account the dynamics developing in and around Syria, with a view to exploring an adapted approach that includes more effective ways of managing the issue, on the basis of the relevant European Council Conclusions.
(MK/EAθ/NZ)
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