10/02/2023 11:48
The conclusions of the special European Council held in Brussels on Thursday include a call to the Commission to present an action plan for the management of the Eastern Mediterranean migration route, following a request by President Anastasiades, Government Spokesperson Marios Pelekanos said in a written statement on Friday.
In a statement regarding the European Council and the participation of President Anastasiades Pelekanos said that the leaders of the 27 member states discussed migration management, the economy, as well as developments in Russia's war against Ukraine and various aspects of EU support to Kiyv, in the presence of President Zelensky.
The discussion on migration management focused on the external dimension of the problem, as well as joint action and cooperation with third countries of origin and transit, in order to prevent irregular arrivals and to increase returns of those who are not entitled to protection, Pelekanos said, adding that the leaders also discussed ways to prevent instrumentalisation and traffickers.
The spokesperson added that President Anastasiades "presented evidence highlighting the unbearable pressure that our country is facing due to the continuing instrumentalisation of migration by Turkey".
The President also insisted on including in the text of the conclusions a call to the European Commission to present as a matter a priority an Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean, similar to existing plans regarding the Actions Plans for the Western Balkans and Central Mediterranean routes, Pelekanos said.
This Action Plan, the spokesperson explained, "will include holistic operational and diplomatic actions, aiming at a rapid and effective reduction of flows, and the mitigation of pressures on affected Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus."
President Anastasiades also expressed his full support to efforts to conclude negotiations on the Immigration and Asylum Pact, which should strike a balance between the principles of responsibility and solidarity.
Pelekanos also noted that during the discussion on the EU's response to the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, President Anastasiades "expressed deep sorrow personally, but also on behalf of the
Cypriot people, for the hundreds of deaths caused by the strong earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which include a number of our fellow Turkish Cypriot citizens."
Anastasiades "informed his counterparts that the Republic of Cyprus has expressed its readiness to send a rescue team to Turkey to assist in efforts to rescue survivors trapped in the rubble."