CYPRUS has stressed the need for the creation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) by 2012 to tackle the significant migrant influx mainly faced by Mediterranean EU members.
“Cyprus, as well as the other Mediterranean countries, faces various challenges related to the increased migrant flow in the area, resulting from the instability in North Africa and the Middle East,” said Sotos Ktoris, coordinator of the interior ministry asylum service.
He was addressing a seminar held in Malta on Friday entitled Europe’s New Mediterranean Reality: Migration And Asylum In Malta, Greece And Cyprus.
Ktoris said Cyprus systematically experienced the pressure stemming from the mass arrival of asylum seekers “and that is why we support further promotion of practical cooperation in the area of asylum aiming for a better and more efficient implementation of CEAS.”
The interior ministry official reiterated Cyprus’ position that Mediterranean states faced with disproportionate pressure should have a common voice and exercise more pressure on the EU to afford them the necessary support to tackle these challenges.
In April, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta appealed for their EU partners’ support to help cope with an influx of thousands of migrants fleeing the turmoil in northern Africa.
Ktoris said practical cooperation “should focus on providing international protection to those with a genuine need and… tackle abuse of the system that puts its effectiveness at risk.”
Despite the many positive steps, more work needs to be done including furthering the dialogue and cooperation with neighbouring states that cause the migrant waves,” Ktoris said.
“Strengthening infrastructure projects and the democratisation of these countries is not an easy and quick procedure,” he added. “Instability in the area can be effectively handled under the umbrella of solidarity and burden-sharing and naturally by adopting a common European policy.”
The Mediterranean countries want the EU’s border control agency Frontex to intensify monitoring and to expand its operations to prevent illegal flows in the eastern Mediterranean area.
Intra community relocation of those eligible for international protection should be put on a more binding, fair and proportional basis, they say.
They also want the EU to establish a solidarity fund to help them tackle the influx and promote practical cooperation with the countries of origin or transit of illegal immigrants by concluding readmission agreements, developing voluntary return programmes.
