Greece and Cyprus in favour of 'fair and resilient' EU migration system

Greece and Cyprus are in favour of a "fair and resilient" common European system with an equal distribution of responsibility between member states, Greek Minister of Immigration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi said in view of "difficult" negotiations about the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Mitarachi was speaking to the press following a meeting he had with Cyprus` Interior Minister Nicos Nouris, in Nicosia. Both Ministers praised the excellent ongoing cooperation between the two countries.

The Greek Minister referred to a meeting he had earlier on Friday with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, noting that they discussed "the common challenges our countries are faced with in dealing with the migration issue, as well as the latest developments in our region."

The Republic of Cyprus, Mitarachi said, a country which "like Greece is on the frontline of pressures from the East is faced recently with increased migratory flows."

In this context, he continued, the two Ministries have developed a "close cooperation at a political and a technical level." A cooperation, he said, which seeks to find able solutions and the exchange of best practices which will guarantee the effective border management and the creation of the right conditions in order for the asylum process and deportations of people who are not entitled to international protection to be fast tracked.

He explained that it is crucial for the EU - Turkey Statement of 2016 to be fully implemented without exceptions taking into account the particularities of each reception country.

It is also crucial that Turkey abide with the obligations it has undertaken to combat human traffic networks and to accept the return of everyone who is not entitled to international protection

According to Mitarachi a prerequisite would be to achieve the necessary solidarity of all EU member states so that the burden shouldered by frontline countries such as Greece and Cyprus can become lighter.

"As a difficult negotiation is ongoing for the new European Migration and Asylum Pact, the two countries support a fair and resilient common European system with an equal distribution of responsibility between member states," he stressed.

He further expressed his conviction that "the strict but fair migration policy implemented by Greece and Cyprus has concrete results," for the benefit our societies and the entire EU.

On his part Nouris said that it is "well known that Cyprus and Greece face common challenges in dealing with the migration issue as frontline countries, which receive the greatest burden in relation to our partners."

Referring to the meeting with Mitarachi, he noted that they had the opportunity "to continue he extremely constructive exchange of views and practices" in dealing with excessive migratory flows and safeguarding the European borders.

At the same time, Nouris continued, "we discussed ways of reaching our common goals in the context of the discussion for the new European Migration and Asylum Pact and in particular in view of Turkey`s denial to abide with its obligations in the migration issue vis-à-vis all member states, including Cyprus."

The cooperation which has developed between the two Ministries, he said, ensure that our efforts will continue and intensify so that Cyprus and Greece can jointly effectively respond in dealing with the crucial matters of migration and asylum.