I had the opportunity today to sign an excellent agreement with the International Organization for Migration to provide €13 million in assistance for the redevelopment and upgrading of the first phase of the Pournara Centre which, among other things, includes the reinforcement of the fencing and, of course, the living conditions of the residents. It is something that we have been seeking and I think it will help enormously. The project will be completed within six months - that is, by autumn 2023 - which will help the Asylum Service.
We have also discussed with the European Commissioner Mrs. Ylva Johansson and with the representatives of the Directorate-General for Home Affairs of the European Commission, the possibility of providing additional assistance for the management of Ukrainian refugees in our country, and clear indications have been given for claiming the specific assistance that Cyprus needs in order to cope with the very heavy burden of hosting the almost 18,000 Ukrainians staying in Cyprus.
Finally, in the European Council, the President of the Republic and I, at my level, have raised the necessity of making provision for the preparation of the Eastern Mediterranean Plan, a plan for the management of migratory flows, which is extremely urgent to be adopted and implemented in order to help Cyprus with the increased migratory flows. I am optimistic that tonight the European Council will adopt this Cypriot proposal.
(MF/IK)
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