[PIO] The President of the House of Representatives participated in a debate on addressing the migration crisis in the framework of the official visit

In the framework of the official visit to Cyprus by the President of the National Council (Lower House of Parliament) of Austria, Mr. Anita Demetriou, a debate entitled "Building synergies to address the migration crisis" was held yesterday afternoon at the Leventis Gallery. The debate was attended by the Presidents of the two Parliaments, the Minister of Interior Mr. Constantinos Ioannou, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Interior Mr. Aristos Damianou and the Professor of the European University Cyprus Mr. George Bustras. The debate was attended by students participating in the "Internship in the House of Representatives" programme.

The Speaker of the Parliament stressed that the crucial issue of migration is not only a problem of the frontline countries, but requires a faster and collective response at the level of the European Union (EU). Demetriou stressed the need to show more solidarity and the necessary political will to implement the new Pact on Immigration and Asylum, as an important step towards a holistic approach to this huge challenge.

The President of the National Council of Austria underlined that his country stands by Cyprus on this issue and supports the initiatives undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus, recognising the need for further EU support for our country. Noting Austria's considerable experience in hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants, Mr Sobotka stressed the need for the EU to focus on a long-term strategy for migration management and the important contribution of education to efforts for the social integration of migrants. Finally, he underlined the importance of further supporting and strengthening the infrastructure of third countries to retain potential migrants in their countries of origin.

Interior Minister Ioannou discussed at length the difficult situation facing Cyprus due to the increasing migratory pressures and the measures adopted and implemented by the Government, which mainly concern the faster processing of asylum applications, the improvement and strengthening of infrastructure and the return of irregular migrants whose applications have been rejected in their countries of origin, with positive results so far. He also noted Cyprus' request for a reassessment of the status of Syria and highlighted the need for more support to Lebanon and, more generally, to third countries hosting refugees and migrants. In conclusion, Ioannou stressed the need for the EU to focus more on the external aspect of migration and to act proactively, aiming to find solutions to the different reasons for migration.

The President of the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Damianou, pointed out that for years the EU has been following a piecemeal policy, while after the results of the recent European elections the EU received the message of the need for a holistic approach to the migration crisis. Noting that the Cypriot government has implemented a series of measures that have yielded results, Damianou stressed that the EU must do more for Cyprus. He underlined the need for more effective practices at EU level regarding the relocation of migrants and agreed on the need for a long-term strategy for the management of the migration issue.

Professor Boustras pointed out that migration is a complex and unpredictable phenomenon, as we do not know how it will evolve. He focused on the link between climate change and migration and agreed on the importance of education and understanding of the European way of life for a smoother integration of migrants in their host countries.

Concluding the debate, the President of Parliament underlined the importance of diplomacy and of taking joint initiatives and actions aimed at promoting dialogue with society and between political forces in the EU, aiming at defending democracy and European principles and values. In democracy there are rights, but also obligations, concluded Demetriou.

(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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