The immigration problem constitutes a challenge for Cyprus due to the unstable situation in nearby Syria and the fact that part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus remains under Turkish occupation, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades stressed Thursday in an intervention at the extraordinary European Council in Brussels which discussed immigration flows in the Mediterranean.
Noting that Cyprus is currently under an economic adjustment program by the Troika and thus its economic contribution is limited, the President said that Cyprus is ready to offer any sort of expertise as well as staff to deal with this problem.
He recalled that during the Lebanon events in 2006, Cyprus became an effective humanitarian center for the transfer of foreign civilians from Lebanon to other countries.
In this framework, he added, Cyprus remains ready to offer any assistance to any member state.
On the sidelines of the European Council the President met with President of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker, whom he briefed on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and the economic situation in the country.
Cyprus has been divided by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion against the island in the summer of 1974. Ankara refuses to comply with international law to withdraw its troops from Cyprus despite repeated calls from international and European organisations.