Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, signed on Friday, a framework agreement with the Director of International Affairs at the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, Ambassador Hendrick Krauskopf, on behalf of the Swiss Federal Council, by which Switzerland allocates CHF10 million (€10.7 million) to support Cyprus’ migration strategy.
In statements to the press, after the signing of the agreement, Deputy Minister Ioannides said that “this is an important day for the Republic of Cyprus and for our collaboration with the Swiss Confederation. The signing of this framework agreement is a testament to our deep and strong ties. It is important that the Swiss Confederation has been supporting Cyprus in a tangible way. We’d like to extend our gratitude to the government and the people of the Swiss Confederation for allocating more than 10 million euros to the Republic of Cyprus in the field of migration.”
He noted that most of this contribution will be used to support the implementation of Cyprus’ national integration strategy. Except for financial support, “our collaboration extends and is broad enough to include the exchange of best practices and expertise,” he added.
The Deputy Minister expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Switzerland to Cyprus, Christoph Burgener and to Ambassador Krauskopf for the continued support of the government of the Swiss Confederation. “Thank you to the government of the Swiss Confederation for their support to a small frontline member state like Cyprus, which has been dealing with irregular migration, with the serious challenges posed by irregular migration over the last years. We look forward to working with you in implementing this frame of agreement and broadening and enhancing our excellent collaboration,” he said.
Ambassador Hendrick Krauskopf said that this is a celebration day. “Switzerland and Cyprus are reinforcing their migration partnership. With this agreement, Switzerland will provide 10 million Swiss francs to support migration projects here in Cyprus”, he said, noting that Cyprus is among the European countries most affected by migratory pressures, since its geographical situation makes it a key frontline state. “Switzerland recognizes the burden which Cyprus faces and this is why we stand with Cyprus as an act of solidarity, but also of recognition,” he noted.
