Interior Minister Nikos Nouris met this morning with a delegation of the European Affairs Committee of the Czech Parliament. The delegation was led by the President of the Committee, Mr Ondřej Benešík.
In his statements to journalists, the Minister said that he had the pleasure of receiving the Czech delegation, which is in Cyprus with a specific agenda, at the Ministry of Interior. He said that the issue of Ukraine had been discussed, as well as the issue of illegal immigration, which "plagues our country."
"I must admit that I am completely satisfied with the reactions of the representatives of the Czech parliament for their understanding of the problem Cyprus is facing. In fact, there has been an understanding for a further discussion of the issue at the level of the European Union as well," he said.
Speaking about the migratory flows, he added that "with an initiative that may be taken by them, just seeing first hand the problem that our country is facing, and especially the problem of the Green Line, it has been understood that Cyprus must be supported in order to be able to face this huge burden with which we have been entrusted."
On the other hand, he noted, "we have fully agreed on how to manage the Ukrainian problem. Both Cyprus and the Czech Republic have taken very specific actions and we have informed each other on how to manage the Ukrainian refugees."
"Of course, it is the wish of all of us that there will be an end to this particular conflict and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, so that the problem will be eased and we will be able to manage in the best way this huge problem that Europe is facing," he added.
In conclusion, after thanking the delegates for their visit, he expressed his gratitude for their understanding of the problem Cyprus is facing.
In his own remarks, the Head of the delegation, Mr Benešík thanked the Minister for the welcome and the fruitful exchange of views. He informed that the main reason for their visit to Cyprus is in view of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by the Czech Republic in the second half of the year.
The Czech Republic is going to set the agenda for the Presidency, he said, noting that migration will be one of the key issues. He said that the issue of Ukraine is expected to dominate as a topic, adding that the case of Cyprus in terms of irregular migration is something that should also be considered. He said that the Czech Republic shares very similar views on this issue, expressing confidence that it will be an area of future cooperation between the two countries.
Referring to the delegation's visit to places on the Green Line, he expressed his emotion at the fact that people were forced to leave their homes, unable to return home. This is something that happened in the Czech Republic in the past, he said. "What is unthinkable for us," he said, "is that you have been experiencing it for the last decades." He concluded by praising the importance of their on-site visit to the Green Line, saying that it is "much better to see with your own eyes once than to hear it a hundred times."
(EFYs)
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