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The Honourable Members. Dimitris Demetriou (leader), Nikos Ketteros and Chrysanthos Savvidis, members of the Cypriot delegation to the Joint Parliamentary Control Group (JPC) of Europol, participated yesterday via internet in the 10th meeting of the Group, held in the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
Mr Demetriou participated in a discussion on Europol's latest activities and the revision of the Europol Rules of Procedure. Expressing thanks in principle for Europol's support to the Cypriot authorities, Mr Demetriou noted as a positive step the provisional agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the new Europol Regulation. The Cypriot MEP also expressed concern that, according to the European Data Protection Supervisor, Europol has not fully complied with the requirements of the data protection framework and requested information on how the Regulation under discussion addresses data retention issues and how the Supervisor's concerns can be overcome without compromising Europol's analytical capabilities. Demetriou also asked for an update on the role of the Fundamental Rights Officer, as well as on the cooperation between the new officer and the European Data Protection Supervisor. Finally, he asked a question regarding Europol's position in relation to developments in the field of artificial intelligence in policing.
In the context of the debate on "Europol's contribution to the fight against illegal immigration", he welcomed the initiative of the French Presidency to include such a topical and burning issue for discussion, especially considering the current situation in Ukraine and the large number of refugees. Referring to Cyprus, Kettereros underlined that the criminal activities of migrant smugglers focus on those who enter the island through the Green Line. Stressing that the character of Europol should be subsidiary, Ketteros stressed that illegal immigration should not be tackled by strengthening repressive and deterrent mechanisms, which often endanger the lives of people seeking a chance for a better future of living. The Cypriot MEP stressed that the adoption of the principles of solidarity and fair burden-sharing in the management of migration flows should govern the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum under discussion, expressing hope for an agreement to be reached as soon as possible.
In his intervention, Mr Savvidis noted the very positive development of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the European Commission, the European Union Asylum Agency, Frontex and Europol. It is important, Mr Savvides said, that it is recognised that Cyprus receives disproportionate flows of asylum seekers and that there are special circumstances due to the existence of the Green Line, from where most of the applicants enter, through the occupied territories, the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mr Savvides said that it is important that it is recognised that Cyprus receives disproportionate flows of asylum seekers and that there are special circumstances due to the existence of the Green Line, from where most of the applicants enter, through the occupied territories, the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus. Savides expressed the hope that, through the strengthening of first reception capacities, improving the level of material reception conditions for asylum seekers, supporting timely and efficient asylum and return procedures, as well as the establishment and implementation of the integration strategy, the Memorandum will make a positive contribution to the management of the migration issue, enhancing the possibilities of preventing the instrumentalization of migration by Turkey to the detriment of Cyprus.
(NΓ/IK)
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