EU Aims for Migration Agreement with Lebanon
In a recent inter-ministerial meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Margaritis Schinas, the Vice-President of the European Commission, underscored the importance of reaching a migration agreement with Lebanon. Schinas, alongside Cyprus’s Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, conveyed that the European Union is poised to build on its previous successes with Egypt and Tunisia by pursuing a similar pact with Lebanon.
Such an agreement, Schinas pointed out, would significantly benefit Cyprus. He expressed confidence in the political will driving this initiative but acknowledged that careful stabilization of the agreement’s parameters and thorough preparation are essential prerequisites. “But I think it is entirely realistic to move in a similar way towards Lebanon,” he affirmed.
Addressing Cyprus’s request for re-evaluating certain Syrian areas as safe, Schinas clarified that the decision-making process is dynamic and rests with the European Asylum Agency. This agency periodically reassesses third countries, and with input from member states like Cyprus, it shapes policy priorities accordingly. Despite the complexities involved, Schinas described the process as complex yet feasible, aligning with Cyprus’s strategic direction.
Ioannou highlighted Cyprus’s notable achievements in migrant returns, referring to the country as a “European champion of returns,” with a 60% increase in successful cases. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation in Syria, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments that could escalate conflicts in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern nations.
The Minister of Interior shed light on the grim reality of organized trafficking networks exploiting Syrian migrants and the recent heart-wrenching tragedies involving child fatalities en route to Cyprus. In response, Cyprus has established a specialized police unit dedicated to thwarting traffickers’ operations. “Recognizing that this is a form of organized crime that we must combat with all available means, we have proceeded to establish a special unit within the Cyprus Police, with the exclusive mission of locating and arresting traffickers,” Ioannou stated.
The meeting also saw participation from other key ministers, including those overseeing Education, Justice, Health, and deputies from Social Welfare and Culture, highlighting the comprehensive approach being taken towards the migration agreement with Lebanon.
