Cyprus and Greece Forge Closer Ties on Migration Issues
In a significant move towards regional cooperation, the Interior Minister of Cyprus, Constantinos Ioannou, has held a productive meeting with his Greek counterpart, Dimitris Kairidis, the Minister of Migration and Asylum. The agenda focused on various aspects of migration, a pressing issue for both nations.
The talks are part of Cyprus’ broader strategy to form an informal alliance aimed at revisiting the global stance on the Syrian regime. Ioannou, who has been actively engaging with other European countries, shared his plans to reach out to more nations interested in this cause. His recent visits to Denmark and the Czech Republic have laid the groundwork for this expanding initiative.
Kairidis expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting its importance and confirming Greece’s readiness to be involved. The two ministers delved into the challenges posed by the rising migration flows, emphasizing the urgency for joint actions to enhance management of the situation.
Further discussions covered the mechanisms in place for providing material reception conditions and the processes for integrating migrants. The ministers recognized the need for improvements in these areas to ensure humane and efficient handling of migration.
The dialogue also touched upon the new Migration and Asylum Pact, prompting Ioannou and Kairidis to agree on forming a Cyprus-Greece collaboration. This team will focus on advocating for joint funding opportunities through the new financial instruments of the Pact. Such collaborative efforts underscore the commitment of both countries to address migration in a unified and strategic manner.
As Cyprus and Greece face similar challenges, their strengthened partnership could serve as a model for other nations grappling with migration issues. The establishment of a joint team for funding advocacy marks a proactive step towards influencing European migration policies and securing resources necessary for effective migration management.
