EU Leaders Discuss Migration and Economic Competitiveness in Vienna
In a recent gathering of European Union leaders in Vienna, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the urgent need for EU support as the country grapples with increasing migrant flows. Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou conveyed that President Christodoulides highlighted the necessity for the EU to recognize parts of Syria as safe zones and to provide financial assistance to Lebanon to help manage the migration crisis effectively.
At a dinner hosted by European Council President Charles Michel and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, which also saw the participation of leaders from Denmark, Malta, and Slovenia, President Christodoulides called for prompt returns of migrants and measures to address the root causes of migration. Cyprus has recently experienced a surge in Syrian irregular migrants arriving from Lebanon, with hundreds reaching the island in just a few days.
President Christodoulides has been proactive on this issue, discussing it with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and engaging in talks with Lebanese authorities during a visit to Beirut. The discussions in Vienna also touched upon the EU’s strategic agenda for the coming five years, where Christodoulides advocated for a stronger EU defence and security policy through collaborative actions and the development of programmes and capabilities.
On economic matters, the Cypriot president underscored the importance of enhancing EU competitiveness. He suggested that this could be achieved by deepening the EU single market, strengthening services, and reducing administrative burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. These comments reflect Cyprus’s commitment to fostering a robust economic environment within the EU framework.
Following the productive discussions in Vienna, President Christodoulides is set to return to Cyprus on Saturday, carrying with him the expectations of substantive EU support and a strategic vision for the future of the region’s economy and security.
