Eurasia Press & News
Cyprus wishes to oppose by any legal means the flow of illegal immigrants from Lebanon and the trafficking of persons from various circles, which is why it is proposing drastic measures to the neighboring country.
With yesterday’s letter revealed by “F”, to his Lebanese counterpart Bassam Mawlawi, the Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou , proposes practical measures aimed at reducing the flow of migrants leaving the shores of Lebanon.
Among other things , the provision of boats by the Republic of Cyprus , training of Lebanese officers, carrying out joint patrols, even financing operations against irregular immigration or repairing boats that transport migrants to return to their place of departure is proposed.
In the letter sent through the embassy of Cyprus in Lebanon, Mr. Ioannou initially refers to the meeting he had with his counterpart from the neighboring country and the joint efforts of the two countries to further strengthen and consolidate cooperation in matters of common security.
“Especially, the HYPES notes in the letter, on the issue of irregular immigration in the Eastern Mediterranean to Cyprus, I want to propose a number of actions for which our countries can jointly proceed and benefit. In order to detect irregular migration and trafficking activities, the Republic of Cyprus in a spirit of trust and friendship, is ready to offer Lebanon the following cooperation and assistance:
Donation of six pre-purchased speedboats, two 12m 12knots to be delivered by the end of 2023 and four 30knots to be delivered by the end of 2024.
Training eight members of the Lebanese Armed Forces in controls and operations. Training can start in December and all costs will be covered by the Republic.
-Educational visits by members of the Lebanese armed forces to the Cypriot Police, in order to get to know the entire process followed by the Cypriot Authorities.
Implementation of joint patrols by the Lebanese naval forces and the Cyprus Coastal Police within Lebanese territorial waters using Coastal vessels. The vessel will be manned by Cypriot personnel and manned by Lebanese and Cypriot officers and will be in the port of Beirut. This will help increase the response capabilities of the Lebanese Authorities in order to minimize unauthorized departures.
Provision of technical assistance by Cypriot experts in maritime matters such as the repair and equipment of engines on Lebanese vessels that will be used for human trafficking. This can be done either through the visit of a Cypriot delegation or a Lebanese mission that will be hosted in Cyprus.
Funding of the implementation of specific Lebanese anti-trafficking operations to Cyprus. In particular, the Republic of Cyprus wishes to pay the remuneration of 10 members of the Lebanese armed forces who actively contribute to the interception of boats transporting irregular immigrants to Cyprus. The funding includes the costs for fuel and boat maintenance.”
Finally, he recommends to his Lebanese counterpart that they jointly submit a proposal to the EU requesting funds for the development of a practical and operational partnership between the two countries, to prevent and combat human trafficking in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In the meantime, the information reaching the Cypriot authorities from Lebanon about continuous arrivals of Syrian immigrants from Lebanon is increasing. Yesterday the director of the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Loizos Chatzivasileiou stated that Mr. Ioannou gave instructions to prepare the Cypriot authorities, in case information about a mass departure of immigrants from Lebanon to Cyprus is verified. According to information obtained from migrants who arrived on Monday, in a certain coastal village of Lebanon, there are approximately 500 people waiting to board boats bound for Cyprus .
After this information, the Minister of the Interior immediately contacted his counterpart in Lebanon on Monday night and according to Hatzivasileiou, he received the assurance that the matter would be taken care of. Essentially, the director of the Ministry of Interior’s office said, the agreement made with Lebanon for the exchange of information reached during the Minister’s last visit to the neighboring country was activated.
