The announcement of the initiative took place after a meeting in Athens between Cyprus Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides had with and his Greek counterpart Giorgos Koumoutsakos.

In statements after the meeting, Petrides said that immigrants return policy is a major issue for the European Union.

“Greece and Cyprus will work together, in order to articulate concrete proposals, which will help EU to become more efficient as regards this specific aspect of the migration issue,” he noted.

Petrides also expressed the view that the refugee and migration issues constitute “national issues both for Cyprus and Greece”, while adding that the two countries are working together to align their positions in the context of European Commission and to propose joint policies in the EU.

On his part, Greek Alternate Minister, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, underlined that Greece and Cyprus are facing common challenges as regards the complex issue of migration.

“This reality is forcing us to work together in order to enhance our collaboration and to propose our own positive agenda on the discussion which is taking place in the European Union regarding a new efficient migration policy,” Koumoutsakos said.

Source: InCyprus