Cyprus to take initiative on EU migration policy

Cyprus will be stepping up measures to address a recent increase in the flow of refugees and undocumented migrants to the island nation, including putting heads together with other Mediterranean countries.

Following a Cabinet decision on Wednesday, Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides said Nicosia ought to intensify its contacts with its European Union partners but also third countries on the issue of migration.

Petrides, who presided over the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, said the Cabinet backed a proposal where Nicosia would seek to give a boost to the agreement on readmission of persons between nations.

Nicosia has been pushing for a single EU migration policy that would make refugee redistribution not only mandatory but also relative to population sizes of member states.

The minister said recently some countries ought to do their share when it comes to accepting refugees under a redistribution scheme.

“European solidarity should not be limited to money. It ought to address the full spectrum of the migration policy,” Petrides said.

On the list, following the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting, Knews understands next steps include Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides taking up the issue with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini.

Petrides will also discuss the issue with Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU Commissioner on Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship.

Cypriot officials have been pursuing a dialogue with their European partners on migration for some time.

However, this is the first time that Nicosia is taking the lead in an organised effort to challenge the debate, which has been long and protracted and extremely polarised within the borders of the EU.