Cyprus and Poland agree to further cooperation to curb asylum seekers

Nicosia, Feb 17 (CNA)– Cyprus and Poland agreed here Thursday to enhance their cooperation within the European Union with a view to curb the problem of asylum seekers.

Cypriot Interior Minister Andreas Christou met Polish Interior and Administration Minister Ryszard Kalisz, who is visiting the island. Both Christou and Kalisz agreed to promote their cooperation on issues concerning their Ministries and especially the problem of asylum seekers.

In statements after the meeting, Kalisz announced that this year will be important regarding visits of Polish officials to Cyprus, culminating next month in an official visit by Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.|

Tomorrow, Kalisz will sign a cooperation agreement and an agreement on the exchange of information between Poland and Cyprus with a view to combat organized crime.

The Polish Minister said that despite the difference in size between the two countries, they face similar problems with respect to asylum seekers.

‘It is very important to cooperate on asylum seekers policy and on technical issues,’ Kalisz said, adding that ‘we would like to speak with a common voice in the EU.’

In his statements, Christou said problems on asylum seekers, illegal immigrants and refugees are similar in both countries because Cyprus and Poland are external borders of the European Union.

‘We have agreed with the Polish Minister that we will seek a programmed cooperation, we will exchange experts on issues relating to local administration, asylum seekers and other services concerning migration’, Christou added.

Christou highlighted the excellent bilateral relations, noting that they are now founded on a new basis, after the accession of Cyprus and Poland to the EU last May.