Migration: Tooling of migrants, hybrid warfare and green line discussed by MED 5

At enhanced surveillance and management of the EU's external borderswith special provision for the Green Line in Cyprus, due to its specificity, as well as the need for one mandatory solidarity mechanism, with the implementation of fast and effective measures for burden sharing within the EU, is the focus of the Joint Declaration of the MED 5 Summit, of the Ministers of Interior and Migration of five EU frontline countries, which was concluded today in Paphos province.

The Ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Italy and Spain made a Joint Declaration at the end of the 4th Ministerial Session, ahead of the European Council meeting in Luxembourg on October 14, having discussed the internal and external dimension of the European immigration policy, and aiming to a "holistic approach to the effective management of asylum and migration", as stated.

The work of the Synod was welcomed by the Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson via teleconference, while the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, Vit Rakusan, was also present. The Minister of the Interior of Italy, Luciana Lamorghese, also participated via video conference.

In the Declaration, the MED 5 express their appreciation for the joint Roadmap of the rotating Presidencies of the Council and the European Parliament to reach a comprehensive and balanced agreement on the Pact on Migration and Asylum. At the same time, however, they stress that the progress of the negotiations must take a balanced approach, while encouraging all parties to engage in a "frank dialogue" to achieve a "genuinely common system of asylum and migration management".

Welcoming the discussion launched by the Presidency on fair sharing and flexible liability, the MED 5 underline the need for a mandatory solidarity mechanism and call for tangible progress on this matter so that "all needs are met, through solidarity contributions", in particular with regard to "border management, through increased surveillance at the origin and prevention of illegal crossings".

The declaration particularly emphasizes the need for the management of the EU's external borders and, in this context, the MED 5 also refers to the case of Cyprus and the Green Line, which, as stated, should be adequately managed, "due to the special conditions in force, despite the fact that the "Green Line" is not an external border of the EU".

Besides, the MED 5 call on the Commission and the member states "to take into account the particularities arising from the geographical conditions and geopolitical developments" for the front-line member states, while at the same time underlining the "hybrid threats and instrumentalization tactics" of immigration from "certain neighboring countries", especially after the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Additionally, the Declaration notes that the EU must "remain consistent with all partners, investing in the development of meaningful and long-term partnerships, in particular with key countries of origin and transit", both to prevent irregular migration flows and to ensure effective returns . It is also pointed out the "need to assess the actual conditions in the countries of origin and transit which are currently considered precarious", as well as ensuring the channeling of available resources to those who really need protection.

"We call on the Commission and the Council to finally recognize the increased tasks assigned to front-line Member States and the additional tasks arising in the area of ​​migration management, reception, asylum and integration," states the MED 5 Declaration, calling for measures to ensure a balance between solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities. At the same time, however, they confirm their "undivided commitment" to fulfilling their obligations, in accordance with international law and the European acquis, and conclude by noting that they look forward to the meeting of the European Council next week, which also concerns the evaluation of current developments and challenges in the field of asylum and migration.