Cyprus cannot accept the division of the Legislative Package on Asylum

Cyprus cannot accept the Legislative Package on Asylum to be divided, Interior Minister Constasntinos Petrides has said, while expressing disappointment over the fact that no significant progress has been achieved during the discussions for the adoption of a comprehensive Common European Asylum System.

According to a press release, in his intervention at the EU Informal Home and Justice Council that took place in Bucharest on February 7 and 8, Petrides said that the fact that no significant progress has been achieved so far has negative repercussions for the EU member states which mainly receive immigrants.

The press release noted that the Romanian EU Presidency approach on this issue is based on the Commission’s proposal for temporary arrangements, that do not include the compulsory redistribution of individuals, something that does not satisfy the government of Cyprus.

The Minister expressed disagreement with the reference included in the document that a low number of arrivals is maintained due to the effective implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement, stressing that both Greece and Cyprus continue to face systematic and increased flows from Turkey.

He also stressed that Cyprus cannot accept the Legislative Package on Asylum to be divided, noting that such a development will lead to increased responsibility of member states which are on the front line of migration, without any essential solidarity measure, in the form of redistribution.