EU Central Management of Migration Crucial, Says Cyprus Deputy Minister Ioannides

PAPHOS: The European Union should take a central role in managing migration issues, according to Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection. Speaking at the Annual International Meeting of the Contact Committee in Paphos, Ioannides emphasized the necessity of a coordinated approach to handle the complexities of migration, a statement echoed by other European officials at the conference.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Ioannides highlighted the discussions held during the conference, where he reiterated his stance that the EU needs to manage migration more centrally. This central management is seen as vital to support member states, particularly those like Cyprus, which are on the front lines of migrant influxes. Ioannides pointed out that individual states could not tackle such an enormous challenge on their own, underscoring the need for collective European action.

The Deputy Minister also responded to queries about the recent decision to remove the barbed wire fence alo
ng the ceasefire line in Nicosia. He explained that the removal was approved by the Council of Ministers because the fence did not effectively prevent migrant flows from the occupied territories. This process is reportedly in its final stages.

During the conference, Andreas Papakonstantinou, Auditor General of the Republic of Cyprus, also spoke on the sensitive nature of migration, touching upon both economic and humanitarian concerns. He noted the different perceptions among EU countries but affirmed a general willingness to address migration issues collaboratively. Papakonstantinou announced that the findings of the conference would be released on Thursday, with insights expected on how different EU nations and institutions are handling migration-related challenges.

The event, organized by the Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus, also saw participation from officials of the European Commission. These discussions aim to foster a unified approach to migration, reflecting the ongoing efforts to implement
the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum effectively. This pact is intended to prevent unilateral actions by member states, particularly smaller frontline states.

The Contact Committee, which hosted the meeting, is an independent assembly comprising the Heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the EU Member States and the European Court of Auditors. It convenes annually to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern among member states.