The plenary session of Cyprus’ House of Representatives that discussed on Thursday the pressing issue of migration, passed a resolution that calls upon both the government and the European Union to take concrete actions regarding the ongoing migration crisis.

The resolution welcomes the approval of the Migration and Asylum Pact by the EU and urges the government to intensify its efforts at the EU level concerning the challenges posed by continuous irregular migration flows from neighbouring countries, notably Lebanon.

Parliament calls on the government to urge the EU to take immediate and decisive steps towards intensifying FRONTEX controls, maintaining continuous communication with Lebanon, and promptly amending the asylum procedure for Syrians, given that specific areas in Syria are now deemed safe.

Additionally, the government is urged to explore cooperation with Egypt in jointly managing irregular migration flows and seeking EU support for Egypt financially. Permanent refugee relocation mechanisms based on solidarity among member states are also requested to alleviate the burden on frontline countries.

The resolution further urges the government to take immediate measures to effectively combat illegal activities of traffickers by imposing strict penalties. It calls on the EU to play a decisive role in curbing migration flows by directly engaging with the Lebanese government to address the issue.

Moreover, the government is called upon to implement the Migration and Asylum Pact as part of an anticipated comprehensive collective plan and promote the full implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Eastern Mediterranean route.

The EU is urged to hold Turkey accountable for fulfilling its commitments to mitigate migration flows, as outlined in the October 2021 European Council conclusions. The EU should also press Turkey to take necessary actions to prevent irregular migration and closely monitor their implementation.

Brussels is also called upon to strengthen and assist countries such as Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia in effectively combating traffickers and, consequently, irregular migration flows.

The resolution highlights Cyprus's disproportionate and unsustainable influx of migrants, attributing it to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and geopolitical developments in the region.

The EU is urged to provide support to member states and their neighbouring regions facing migration crises, acknowledging that not all arrivals in Cyprus are genuine asylum seekers but instances of exploitation of asylum procedures.