Cyprus is not alone as regards the migration issue and Greece, as a country on the front line, supports its initiatives, Minister of Migration and Asylum Dimitris Kairidis said on Friday, in the context of the Ministerial Summit hosted by Nicosia.

Kairidis said that today's Summit is important because it discusses a major issue and he congratulated his Cypriot counterpart Konstantinos Ioannou for taking the initiative to gather in Nicosia countries that are on the frontline, geographically, but also others that receive migrants and are under great pressure. He mentioned that there is an open discussion beyond those held in the European Council.

Commenting on Nicosia's initiative to review the status of Syria, Kairidis said that this is the beginning of a discussion that should be done informally and with a focus on reaching solutions.

He said that he has worked closely with his Cypriot counterpart many times in the European Councils pointing out that what we need is not populist and naïve approaches but solutions.

He also noted that we are only a few weeks away from the EU elections and migration is an issue on the debate and an issue that concerns the EU citizens and Cypriots. Therefore, he noted, we need realistic solutions that can be applied and this is what the Cyprus Minister and all of us are focused on.

Asked about the situation in Greece, Kairidis said that the picture has improved compared to the high rates last August until October, and this is also reflected in the decrease in illegal flows close to 80% in recent months.

He also said that there is great decongestion of the national reception and identification system. Kairidis said that he is visiting the island of Lesvos tomorrow which has received great pressures in the past. He said that things are better there thanks to the ongoing efforts and a better cooperation with Turkey.

He said that the Greek authorities are taking steps, namely facilitating visas in order to change the model of crossing from illegal entries, boats and smugglers, to legal visiting with permits that also strengthen the local economy.

The Minister said that there is an issue with eastern Libya and that they are monitoring the situation, adding that he was in Egypt and Lebanon last week and that the relationship with Egypt is strategic because it is an organized state and therefore they is potential for much better cooperation.

He noted that in Lebanon the situation is complex due to internal issues. Kairidis went on to note the fact that the President of the European Commission reacted very quickly, at the initiative of the Cyprus Government, adding that the agreement reached needs to be implemented.