Newsroom
Real solidarity and equitable burden-sharing among European Union member states are essential for managing migration flows, Lars Castellucci, Deputy Chairman of the Interior Committee of the German Bundestag, said during a visit to Cyprus on Thursday.
In a meeting with Aristos Damianou, Chairman of the House Interior Committee of Cyprus, both officials highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Cyprus and Germany. They noted that intensified parliamentary contacts have significantly advanced parliamentary diplomacy, aiding in the collective effort to address shared challenges.
Damianou underscored the unique difficulties Cyprus faces due to the ongoing occupation of part of its territory by Turkey, which has persisted for over five decades. He pointed out that the inability of the Republic of Cyprus to control these occupied areas complicates the management of migratory flows, particularly as these are often funneled through the buffer zone as a result of Turkey's instrumentalization of the migration issue.
"The situation in the Middle East exacerbates the root causes of migration," Damianou said, emphasizing the need for the European Union to take collective responsibility for managing migration flows. He called for a fair distribution of the migration burden to support and relieve frontline countries like Cyprus, which are under disproportionate pressure.
Castellucci expressed his understanding of the challenges Cyprus faces, stressing the importance of raising awareness within the EU about the situation in Cyprus, especially regarding illegal immigration from the occupied territories. He also warned of the potential for a further influx of immigrants due to broader regional crises.
"It is crucial that EU member states demonstrate real solidarity and share the responsibility for migration flows equally," Castellucci said. The two officials discussed potential avenues for further cooperation and joint actions at the parliamentary level to better manage the migration issue.
The meeting was part of Castellucci's tour of the region, aimed at strengthening ties and addressing common challenges in migration and other key areas.
