Cypriot and Swiss officials discuss migration cooperation

Cypriot Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides thanked his Swiss counterpart, Christine Schraner Burgener, over her country’s financing of infrastructure of the Cypriot Asylum Service.

Ioannides met with Burgener in Nicosia on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the Cypriot Deputy Ministry, Burgener carried out a working visit to Cyprus on 29 July, during which she discussed issues of mutual concern, including the challenges on migration policy and the need for cooperation on asylum and management of external borders.

The meeting covered the projects underway in Cyprus which are supported by Switzerland, starting with the signing of an agreement between the Swiss Deputy Ministry of Asylum and the Cypriot Finance Ministry’s Directorate General for Growth. The project called “Development of new Facilities and Capacity Building for Asylum Procedures” is implemented in the framework of the Cooperation Programme between Switzerland and Cyprus.

“Ioannides thanked his counterpart for the overall support and particularly for the Swiss financing of the infrastructure projects for the Asylum Service,” the press release said, adding the Cypriot Deputy Minister expressed his will for the continuation and deepening of cooperation as well as the exchange of expertise in tackling and managing migration, including inclusion and social cohesion.

On her part, the Swiss Deputy Minister said the meeting served as an opportunity to deepen the bilateral cooperation and exchange of views and information.

Burgener extended an invitation to Ioannides to carry out an official visit to Switzerland, an invitation accepted by the Cypriot Deputy Minister “as it would provide an opportunity for an on the ground study of the Swiss targeted approach in dealing with the migration issue, best practices, infrastructure as well and the legal framework.”