Addressing the Migrant Surge: Cyprus and Lebanon to Hold Crucial Talks
In a move to tackle the escalating issue of migrant flows, Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides is set to spearhead a high-level delegation to Lebanon this coming Monday. The discussions with Lebanese officials are expected to be intense, with the recent spike in migrant arrivals to Cyprus dominating the conversation.
President Christodoulides has already initiated dialogue with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati ahead of the visit. The Cypriot delegation will include key figures such as the Ministers of Interior, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Chief of the National Guard and other state officials. The president’s commitment to addressing the crisis was clear when he stated,
The urgency of the situation was underscored by President Christodoulides’ candid comments following a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. He expressed understanding for Lebanon’s challenges but firmly stated that “exporting migrants to Cyprus should not be the answer and cannot be accepted.”
Support from the European Union is also on the agenda, with President Christodoulides scheduled to meet the President of the European Commission. The European Commission’s spokesperson on migration, Annita Hipper, confirmed ongoing high-level communications, highlighting that they are “in continuous communication at the highest and technocratic level with the Cypriot authorities.”
On the domestic front, efforts are being intensified to counteract migrant smuggling networks. Marios Hartsiotis, Cyprus’ Minister of Justice and Public Order, emphasized the police’s commitment to dismantling these rings, stating that all necessary measures are being taken to address this aspect of the crisis.
As Cyprus prepares for these critical discussions, the international community watches closely, anticipating potential strategies that could emerge from this high-stakes meeting between Cyprus and Lebanon.
