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The proposal to promote legal migration and the integration of migrants was discussed by Interior Minister Mr. Constantinos Ioannou in separate meetings with the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ms. Amy E. Pope and the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ms. Gillian Triggs. The meetings took place on the sidelines of Mr. Ioannou's participation in the International Refugee Forum, in Geneva.
Cyprus-IOM cooperation to promote legal migration
The willingness of the Republic of Cyprus to cooperate with the relevant IOM teams in order to implement a pilot programme to attract labour from third countries was conveyed by the Interior Minister during his meeting with Ms Pope. The aim of the effort, which is also being discussed at EU level, is to substitute illegal flows with legal migration, based on the needs of each country. Ioannou and Ms. Pope discussed the possibility of establishing a process through which IOM would act as an intermediary for host countries, advancing the proposal to provide alternative legal channels for employment instead of illegal migration. It was said that the effort could be successful through the development of information programmes in countries of origin, as well as through IOM's cooperation with EU countries to promote legal migration based on their actual labour needs.
In addition, the meeting discussed IOM's assistance in integration and assistance in the management of asylum seekers, particularly in relation to medical facilities, accommodation facilities for vulnerable migrants, etc. In addition, particular reference was made to the potential use of Cyprus, as a secure transit point in the Eastern Mediterranean region, for the transfer of logistical equipment from the IOM to the Gaza Strip. On this occasion, Mr Ioannou reiterated the President's proposal for the creation of a humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip.
People-centred approach to migration
The change in approach to migration was acknowledged by the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection in her private meeting with Mr Ioannou. Ms Triggs referred to her visit to Cyprus last October, her second since 2021, when she witnessed first-hand what she described as the excellent work being done in relation to the management of asylum seekers.
Ms Triggs welcomed the actions of the Cyprus Government to formulate a cross-cultural strategy to integrate refugees into the economy, the labour market and society. In the context of the discussion on the integration of migrants in the Cypriot community, the Minister of Interior raised the issue of the increased flows of migrants from Syria and explained that the very large number of Syrians creates obstacles to actions for their integration.
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