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I would like to welcome to Cyprus the Vice President of the European Commission, on his second visit to our country in the last year and the fourth during his term of office, which demonstrates his special interest in Cyprus and the Government's efforts to deal more effectively with the migration issue.
During today's very constructive meeting with the participation of our competent Ministers and Deputy Ministers, we had the opportunity to review the current situation regarding the migration issue and to present to Mr. In particular, we informed Mr. Schinas about the substantial improvement recorded in Cyprus with regard to irregular migrant crossings through the Green Line, as a result of a package of targeted measures that we have implemented. The implementation of these measures, in combination with the implementation of the policies included in the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean, has resulted in the problem being largely resolved, with a dramatic reduction in the flow of irregular migrants through the occupied territories, mainly holders of so-called student visas.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again, Mr. Schinas, for your personal involvement and your valuable contribution to the preparation of the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean. In you we have found a committed ally and your support for the inclusion of the positions of the Republic of Cyprus in the Action Plan has greatly contributed to the improvement of the current picture and the better management of the problem. Although mass migrant flows from Sub-Saharan African countries have been largely reduced, our country, as a frontline member state closest to Syria, is under suffocating pressure due to the large numbers of Syrians arriving in Cyprus.
It is for this reason that we are urgently raising with the competent bodies of the European Union the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to reassess the status of Syria. Our proposal for a review of the facts, based on the current realities prevailing in the country, and the designation, even in a pilot phase, of specific areas as safe, seems to be gaining momentum among our other partners. The return of Syrian nationals under strict conditions will decongest our reception and hosting systems and contribute to the successful implementation of national strategies for the integration of migrants.
It is the conviction of several states that it is time, some 13 years later, to collectively dare to put our finger on the ball with regard to Syria. Now more than at any other time, with the geopolitical developments taking place in our region and the visible risk of a generalisation of the conflict towards Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries, a joint political decision is needed. We can, moreover, make use of the assessment of the competent European body, the European Asylum Organisation, for specific regions.
In parallel with the massive arrivals of Syrian migrants, it has been established that organised trafficking rings are transporting and exploiting human lives. The recent tragedies with the loss of children in boats travelling to Cyprus intensify our concern and call for decisive action to dismantle the networks of traffickers. Recognising that this is a form of organised crime that we must fight with all available means, we have set up a special unit within the Cyprus Police, with the exclusive task of identifying and arresting traffickers.
In the same context, we attach great importance to the assistance of Europol and Frontex, but also to strengthening our cooperation with third countries of origin and transit, such as Lebanon and Egypt. During the recent visit of the President of the European Commission to Cyprus, the President of the Republic himself raised the need for greater involvement of the competent bodies for policing and guarding the borders of the Union, in order to achieve more effective surveillance and control along the maritime route of the Eastern Mediterranean.
In the same direction is the agreement signed last Sunday between Egypt and the European Union, a very important agreement and a very great success for the EU, which recognises Egypt's role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and strengthens cooperation between the parties to address common challenges. The agreement seeks, among other things, to address the root causes of irregular migration, as well as to provide greater financial support to Egypt to develop programmes to encourage legal migration and attract talent to the European Union.
Finally, we discussed in the presence of the relevant Ministers and Deputy Ministers the policy promoted by the Government for the social and intercultural integration of migrants. We know that the Commission places high on its priorities the integration strategies of legal immigrants and, as the Republic of Cyprus, we are in line with our European obligations. We explained to Mr Schinas the action plan that has been developed, which is based on five pillars: education, health, housing, employment and skills. Through 50 actions spanning the whole spectrum of society and the economy, we aspire to increase the degree of integration of migrants into Cypriot life. We also had the opportunity to brief him on the revised Strategy and National Action Plan for preventing and combating trafficking in persons and protecting victims for the period 2023-2026.
Mr. Schinas,
We are well aware that migration is here to stay. Geopolitical developments, unstable and volatile conditions in our neighbourhood and other exogenous and unpredictable factors do not allow us to be complacent in any way. The data of recent months are encouraging, but not a given. Our goal is to remain on the path of improvement and the establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, recently passed by the House of Representatives, will contribute to this.
Allow me, through you, to convey the Government's sincere thanks to the institutions of the European Union and especially to the Commission, for our excellent cooperation and the constant support provided to us in our arduous task of proper management of the migration issue. Thank you again for your special interest in our Cyprus and I look forward to our continued cooperation.
(MKE)
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