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- Ελληνικά
The incident in which seven workers providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza lost their lives must be condemned by the entire international community, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letibiotis said today.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace after the extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on Migration, the Spokesman said that the meeting had "as its sole topic the discussion on the migratory flows of recent days.
The meeting was held in a broad composition, in the presence of the Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Public Order, Defense, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General, the Chief of Police and National Guard and the Commander of the Cyprus Intelligence Service, Counsellor SEA discussed the flows observed in recent days in our country, the vast majority of which originate from Lebanon by sea.
It is indicative that in recent months Cyprus has achieved a turnaround in the migration situation, with departures outnumbering arrivals for the first time, and we want to maintain this good picture.
We are of course aware that the situation in Lebanon, especially after the war in our region, is difficult and we have to be prepared. In this context, various measures have been discussed, various actions that the Republic of Cyprus can take, but also in cooperation with the European Union (EU) and European partners."
When asked, he said: "The coordination that exists should continue. The FAC will be in constant consultation and if necessary it will be reconvened to assess what has been discussed today."
Asked what decisions were taken today, the Spokesman said: "They are decisions that we cannot communicate today, but there are various issues that have been put on the table by all relevant ministries. What is important is once again to show solidarity at the EU level as well. Cyprus is the closest member state to Lebanon, and in recent days we have seen these increased migratory flows, which we need to find a way to deal with in combination and in coordination with the EU."
Asked to refer to the infrastructure of the Republic of Cyprus to receive these flows, the Spokesman said: "You understand that with the pace of increasing flows over the last few days we are on the edge and this is something we have communicated repeatedly. The infrastructure and resilience of the Republic of Cyprus to be able to adequately cope with our international obligations is very specific.
In the last 48 hours we have seen arrivals of over 350 irregular migrants and asylum seekers in our country and a country like the Republic of Cyprus cannot continue at this rate. It is for this reason that it was deemed critical that the FAC be convened in a timely manner, and if the need arises, that it be reconvened."
Asked if any communication has been or will be made with the Government of Lebanon or Syria, the Spokesman said: "For Syria, the treaties imposing international protection status on Syrian nationals are well known. This is also a discussion we are having on our own initiative at EU level, whether certain areas in Syria can now be designated as safe. It is a debate that is not expected to end very soon. We will continue to raise the issue and highlight it at EU level.
We are already in contact with Lebanon, and there will be further contacts with the authorities of that country so that they can also stop these high migratory flows that have been observed in recent days."
To another question, he said that on migration and its various aspects, the Government has taken the measures it could take and the result can be seen in terms of departure rates and in terms of arrest rates of traffickers. "At the same time we cannot influence the geography, we are very close to Lebanon. Particularly after October 7 and the tragic events that followed, in our region we have seen this increased flow, particularly and especially from Lebanon. All those actions that can be taken have been discussed today at the level of the relevant authorities and ministries and we will be in constant coordination."
Asked to comment on Israel's strike on people carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Spokesman said: "I express our sadness and shock at the unfortunate loss of the World Central Kitchen workers who were in the area to deliver humanitarian aid. It is at the same time absolutely reprehensible and in conflict and violation of international humanitarian law to kill civilians, particularly workers who are there to provide essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza."
The circumstances under which this tragic incident, in which seven workers have lost their lives, has taken place are being investigated. We have been in contact since very early today and last night with the World Central Bank, but also with our international partners, in addition to expressing our support, to coordinate and investigate in depth the circumstances under which the incident took place. We believe that this is an incident that the international community as a whole should and must condemn. We as the Republic of Cyprus once again express our condolences to the families of those lost."
Asked if there will be a protest to Israel, the Spokesman said: "We should wait for the circumstances under which this incident occurred to be fully investigated. Within the day I am sure there will be developments."
Asked if this will affect the sea route to Gaza from the port of Larnaca, the Spokesman said: "This does not affect the initiative, but you understand that all security conditions have to be taken into account and this is with the due diligence that all parties involved in this initiative are continuing, namely the implementation of the initiative. Today, de facto and out of respect for the victims, and in order to be able to better assess the situation, this re-coordination will have to take place, but the initiative is continuing. The needs of the civilian population in Gaza have not stopped. Day by day they are multiplying and it is for this reason that the President of the Republic himself will shortly have a visit to the KSEED in Larnaca with the President of the European Parliament who is in our country, precisely for this reason."
(PM/NG/EATH)
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