10/02/2023 09:30
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris announced that he has signed an agreement with the International Organisation for Migration to provide Cyprus with 13 million euro in assistance for the purpose of the renovation and upgrading of the First Reception Centre in Pournara.
The agreement was signed in Brussels, on the margins of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council taking place on Thursday.
Also, during the discussion on the management of migration in the context of the European Council, President Anastasiades is expected to call for an additional impetus to be given to the development of an action plan for the management of migration flows in the Eastern Mediterranean, similar to the one for the migration corridors of the Central Mediterranean and the Western Balkans.
"Today I had the opportunity to sign an excellent agreement with the International Organization for Migration, for the provision of 13 million euros in assistance towards the renovation and upgrading of the first phase of the Pournara Centre which, among other things, includes reinforcing of fences and, of course of accommodation conditions," Nouris said.
"It is something we have been striving for, and I think will help tremendously. The project will be completed within six months - that is, by the autumn of 2023, which will help the Asylum Service," he added.
Nouris also referred to contacts he had with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and representatives of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Home Affairs, to discuss "the possibility of providing additional assistance for the management of Ukrainian refugees in our country."
He added that Cyprus has given clear indications that the country will claim “the specific assistance that Cyprus needs to cope with the very heavy burden of hosting the almost 18,000 Ukrainians residing in Cyprus."
The Interior Minister added that both President Anastasiades and himself raise at different levels, including during the European Council and Nouris’ contacts, “the necessity of the provision for the preparation of the Eastern Mediterranean Plan, a plan for the management of migratory flows, something that is extremely urgent to be adopted and implemented in order to help Cyprus in dealing with increased migratory flows."
"I am optimistic that tonight the European Council will adopt this Cypriot proposal," he added, referring to the Council conclusions.