PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
24/10/2017 16:55
Intervention by MFA Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Alexandros Zenon, at the opening of the 2017 OSCE Mediterranean Conference
Migration has for the past few years dominated the European and Mediterranean agenda and not unjustifiably. The migration crisis has put enormous pressure on our governments and on our societies, while at the same time transformed the way political dialogue is carried out in our countries. The massive movement of people and its spill-over effects require a common approach, in a spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility.
While tackling the root causes of migration remains the paramount long-term goal, the intensification of the fight against migrant smuggling should be an immediate priority, sending a clear political message of zero tolerance for this form of organized crime. People do not become refugees by choice; they are forced to flee by conflict, persecution and destruction. On the other hand, poverty, underdevelopment and failed state structures are some of the causes of migration. Both have to be addressed, but it is essential that we differentiate and prioritise.
Protecting and saving lives is certainly our first and foremost priority and responsibility. Our national policies and regional and international initiatives should reflect this. In 2015 alone, ladies and gentlemen, there were 900,000 crossings from Turkey to Greece and then to the rest of Europe. This massive influx of population has placed tremendous stress on our social fabric.
We have already seen how inaction or inappropriate handling of the situation plays into the hands of extremist political forces and abets the religious or political radicalization. In the past two years, we have collectively taken important steps; we have achieved progress in the negotiations for the UN Global Compact on Migration, to be adopted in 2018, and we have started working with pilot countries towards the development of the Global Compact for Refugees and the Comprehensive Refugees Framework.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As my President mentioned in his speech at the UN General Assembly, last month, “there is no security without development and no development without security”.
Enhancing the resilience of our societies is a key aspect of our multilateral endeavours. Our determination to implement the 2030 Agenda must remain high on our priorities. Sustainable development is at the heart of dealing with the root causes of forced migration. It is encouraging to note that migration has moved up on the OSCE agenda, because we believe that the Organization’s work can complement that of other International Institutions.
The OSCE has at its disposal institutions and mandates that can offer a comprehensive approach to migration management and can have an added-value to the efforts of the UN and the EU to protect lives, to combat crime, to promote human-rights, to enhance border management and integrate migrants in their host societies.
Cyprus stands ready to help the work of the Organization and the enhanced inter-organisational cooperation in any way possible. As a Mediterranean country, at the crossroads of migration routes and in proximity to countries hosting large numbers of refugees, Cyprus naturally attaches great importance, not only to addressing the root causes of migration, but also to helping refugees.
We consider education to be a crucial investment in the human capital of Syria, and this is the reason why Cyprus has launched an ongoing five-year scholarship scheme for graduate studies, worth 500,000 euro, for Syrian refugees hosted in Jordan and Lebanon. Considering also the disproportionate burden Jordan and Lebanon have shouldered because of the refugee crisis, we pledged 2,3 million euro in their support. This amount will gradually be disbursed by 2019. We have also pledged, earlier this year, 100,000 euro in humanitarian aid to be distributed in 2017 and 2018. We know that more needs to be done and we are willing to contribute by mobilising financial resources within our capacity.
Subject to approval by Parliament, we have thus earmarked in next year’s budget an additional amount of 200,000 euro for Jordan and Lebanon to support resilience-building measures in these two countries. Precisely, because of its geographical position, Cyprus is well aware of the significance of enhanced dialogue and cooperation with the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation, in all three dimensions.
Through Strategic Trilateral Partnerships with Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece have established platforms of political dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, which can assist in tackling the challenges in our turbulent region. This cooperation aims to improve coordination in the fields of security, counter-terrorism and other cross- border asymmetrical threats, as well as cooperation in different fields, such as energy, economy, health, environment, water management and tourism.
This regional dialogue can serve the common goals of strengthening the relationship between Europe and the Middle East, and of further promoting solidarity and mutual understanding.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I wish to thank Italy, in particular Minister Alfano, for their initiative to host this year’s Conference in Palermo. In wishing them the best for their incoming Chairmanship, I would also like to thank Austria, for their successful steering of the Organization’s work in 2017, and in particular Minister Kurz, for his leadership and guidance of our Organization during this challenging year.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
source:https://www.pio.gov.cy/MOI/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/83F5874D8D0A5114C22581C3004C7A21?OpenDocument&L=E
