Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou stressed the need for the EU to focus on the root causes of migration, in order to prevent further loss of human lives and collapse of reception systems, during the 6th Meeting of the MED5 European Member States, held today in Thessaloniki.
The Summit was chaired by the Greek Minister of Immigration and Asylum Dimitris Kairidis, and was also attended by the Ministers of Interior of Spain Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, Italy Matteo Piantedosi and Malta Byron Camillieri. The opening of the meeting was welcomed by the Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, with an audiovisual message.
In his input, Cypriot Interior Minister highlighted the pressure that Mediterranean Member States face due to increased migratory flows. Referring more specifically to Cyprus' data, he noted that in 2023 there is a decrease in the number of asylum seekers compared to 2022, but noted that the numbers are still alarming and require vigilance.
He also reiterated the importance of a swift completion of the Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan and the adoption of an integrated approach based on the basic principle of solidarity.
In the context of the discussion on the external dimension of the migration issue, the Cypriot Interior Minister underlined the need to support third countries in the Mediterranean region, at economic, technical and diplomatic level.
In the light of the agreement reached at the diplomatic level between the "27" on support for states that may face a crisis situation, MED5 Ministers agreed on the need for the European Parliament to adopt the Pact on Immigration and Asylum within the current legislative period.
In their Joint Declaration the MED 5 Ministers underlined the need to 'step up our common efforts in relation to the external dimension of migration management as an integral part of a holistic approach'.
'Loss of life at sea and the abuse of migrants by smugglers can be averted through the prevention of irregular departures. We therefore call on the Commission to negotiate new strategic partnerships and mutually beneficial arrangements with key third countries of origin and transit based on mutual trust and a whole of route approach', they noted.
They also they reaffirmed their common commitment to the protection of the external borders of the European Union, with special reference to the Cyprus' Green Line, which although not an external border, must be addressed adequately.
'We reiterate our firm position that the responsibilities shouldered by the MED5 countries have to be offset through adequate, tangible, and efficient solidarity measures', the Joint Declaration concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency