Cyprus to receive EUR48 mln for management of migration flows

The Republic of Cyprus aims to receive EUR48 mln from the EU solidarity funds to better manage migration flows for the next five years. Minister of the Interior Neoklis Sylikiotis said that the amount of EUR48 mln from the External Borders Fund, the European Refugee Fund, the Return Fund and the Integration Fund, is very important for Cyprus, noting that Nicosia has asked the EU for greater economic support due to the increased migration flows towards Cyprus.
He explained that Cyprus is the first stop for immigrants in an area, which, he said, is considered to be the most politically unstable in the world.
Cyprus, the Minister added, cannot manage the great migration flows, due to its geographical position, its small size and its political problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
He noted that Cyprus asks the EU for a more balanced apportionment of the problem among the member states.
Sylikiotis said that the proposal of the Mediterranean EU member states to the European Commission regarding the creation of a European support agency for asylum is proceeding well, adding that the Commission is committed give priority to Cyprus and Malta, which are mostly affected.
The Minister, who presented the four EU solidarity funds, said that the Union's strategic goals for immigration include the upgrading of border safety, drafting of national policies for the legal immigrants as well as new immigrants under legal terms and drafting of a common European migration policy.