This policy, as stated by Mr. Silikiotis, has been developed and brings closer the vision of a society in solidarity, which accepts diversity, enriches and supports its multicultural character.
"A society," he added, "that shows zero tolerance for human-to-human exploitation, free from any xenophobic and racist syndromes."
In his speech at the press conference for the launch of the actions "Greek for Asylum Seekers" and "Greek for Beneficiaries of International Protection", in the framework of the Refugee Fund and "Greek for Third Country Nationals" in the framework of the Accession Fund (Annual Program 2010), Mr. Silikiotis stated that these three programs were undertaken by the Cyprus Labor Institute, in collaboration with the School of Greek Language of the University of Cyprus, which is also the contractor.
The European Union has set up four Solidarity Funds and the resources available from these Funds in Cyprus for the programming period 2007-2013 amount to a total of 50 million euros, as stated by the Minister.
"Currently," Mr. Silikiotis continued, "at the top of the EU agenda is the forthcoming new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, the completion of which is one of the main priorities of the Cyprus Presidency."
"On matters of Justice and Home Affairs," he added, "we agree with a number of new proposals that are being made, which include significant amendments and improvements that were also our suggestions."
The Minister of the Interior particularly welcomed "the simplification of financial instruments and the consolidation of the Refugee Fund, the Integration Fund and the Return Fund into the Immigration and Asylum Fund, as well as the extension of the implementation of actions from annual to multi-annual basis and the determination of on a national basis ”.
"The importance we attach, as well as the EU as a whole, to the issues of integration of immigrants in the host societies", said Mr. Silikiotis, "is also expressed in the agenda of priorities that will concern us during the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council in second half of 2012 ”.
"In this context", said the Minister, "we plan the organization of a Ministerial Conference in Nicosia" and "our main goal is to formulate a policy framework and evaluation mechanism that will incorporate measurable and quality evaluation criteria in the areas that in the first stage we have reached: employment, education, social inclusion and active participation in the commons ”.
"The relevant conclusions adopted at the Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs in Brussels last December are helpful in this direction," said Mr. Silikiotis.
"Knowledge of the Greek language and, consequently, of our history and culture", said Mr. Silikiotis, "are decisive factors for the successful integration of immigrants in our society".
"A policy with multiple social benefits, since," he said, "the successful integration of immigrants is key to maintaining social cohesion, but also economic development in host societies."
"On the basis of these data," he added, "we have identified, as one of the main pillars of our integrated immigration policy, the integration of immigrants."
"In this context", said Mr. Silikiotis, "we have formulated and are implementing with very positive results so far the National Action Plan 2010 - 2012 for the integration of immigrants, a Plan, which was formed with the contribution of local governments, trade unions organizations, employers' organizations, non-governmental organizations and other involved organizations, which it activates in the various stages and processes of its implementation ".
According to the Minister, the Action Plan envisages specific actions and a detailed timetable for their implementation, as well as a reassessment of their effectiveness, with the aim of integrating immigrants into Cypriot society, by creating a clear path with possible stations until the acquisition of private long-term resident, immigration permit, certain civil rights and citizenship.
The Action Plan "is a practical and easy-to-use tool for a comprehensive approach to the issue with its individual actions and not an extensive theoretical text", said Mr. Silikiotis.
He added, "it has a specific duration, it is evaluated periodically and at regular intervals, it includes specific and realistic priority axes and also specific and feasible actions for each priority axis, the sources of funding and their implementation schedules".
"However, we must admit," said the Minister, "that the successful implementation of the National Action Plan, to a large extent, is based on the proper use of the relevant European funds available in Cyprus."