Urgent written question by AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou to the European Commission following the latest challenges Cyprus faces on the migration issue

 

4 April 2024

AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou has tabled an urgent Written Question to the European Commission following the latest challenges Cyprus is facing on the migration issue.

The AKEL MEP informs the Commission about the increased and illegal flow of Syrians from Lebanon that has been observed in recent days in Cyprus, a country that is at breaking point and at the forefront of illegal migration flows. G.Georgiou calls on the European Commission to assist Cyprus directly, in practice and not in words, to address the increase in flows. Furthermore, he calls on the EU bodies to support Lebanon and the efforts to deescalate the crisis in the Middle East, which is daily fuelling illegal immigration.

Finally, referring to the growth of the far-right which is weaponsing the migration issue, the AKEL MEP denounced the current EU migration policy which excludes the establishment of a system of distribution and accommodation of refugees across all EU member states without exception, according to the population and the capacities of each one, and called on the EU to change its policy.

The full text of the Question:

In the last few days there has been an increased and illegal flow of Syrians from Lebanon (716 migrants and 13 boats). This is attributed to Lebanon’s inability to control its borders due to the uncertainty in the country as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza and, according to the statements made today by the Cyprus Interior Minister (Front page TV Program, SIGMATV, 04/04/2024), “the daily bombardments of Israel in the country”.

Can the Commission answer the following questions?

• What direct means does the Commission intend to take to demonstrate in practice, and not in words, its solidarity with a member state which is at breaking point and at the forefront of illegal immigration flows?
• What immediate measures does the Commission intend to take to support Lebanon and assist the effort to deescalate the crisis in the Middle East, which is fuelling illegal immigration on a daily basis?
• Whether it agrees that the current EU migration policy approach has failed and needs to be changed, since it precludes the establishment of a system of distribution and accommodation of refugees across all EU member states without exception, according to their population and capacities, increases the EU’s dependence on third countries, weakens the human rights of asylum seekers and opens the way for more repression against them, and boosts the growth of the far right, which is weaponising the issue?