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 (pound 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.
He went on to say that Switzerland is contributing to support safe accommodation for unaccompanied minors arriving in Cyprus, in cooperation with the NGO Hope for Children. ‘We will also continue to assist vulnerable migrants who choose to return to their country of origin, working alongside with the International Organization for Migration. Lastly, we will support early integration for asylum seekers and refugees who remain in Cyprus, helping them to build independent and stable lives,’ he said.
He added that supporting Cyprus is part of Switzerland’s broader strategy to contribute to well-functioning migration systems in Europe. ‘We are here today to mark our longstanding support going forward in our future cooperation. The agreement signed today follows the first phase of cooperation launched in 2022, which already delivered valuable experience and partnerships. With the new program, Switzerland confirms its long-term commitment to shared responsibilities and pragmatic cooperation in the field of migration,’ he noted, wishing Cyprus a fruitful implementation of the new phase of the cooperation program, as well as a successful year of the Council Presidency. ‘In the field of migration, there will be challenges, and these challenges you will master,’ he concluded.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Framework Agreement includes four projects. The first one titled ‘Home for Hope – Shelter for Unaccompanied Children’, will receive pound 2.4 million and will be implemented by the NGO Hope for Children, to build two new structures with a capacity to accommodate 15-20 unaccompanied minors each.
The second project titled ‘Assisted Voluntary Return Hub’, will receive pound 1.5 million, for the continued provision of temporary accommodation to migrants who voluntarily return in a dignified and safe manner.
The third project titled ‘Implementation of the Integration Strategy’ will receive pound 6.4 million and will be implemented by the International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry for Migration and International Protection, for the implementation of a holistic and decentralized strategy for the early integration of migrants.
An amount of pound 214,000 will be allocated as Technical Support.
During the first phase of the Swiss contribution, the ‘development of new facilities and capacity building for asylum’ was funded with pound 9.1 million. The project covers part of the cost of constructing the new central offices of the Asylum Service, as well as publicity activities and knowledge-exchange actions.
Moreover, pound 1.1 million were allocated to the project ‘Supporting Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration’. The grant contributes to the development of accommodation facilities for vulnerable asylum seekers who wish to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.