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Deputy Migration Minister: Cyprus ready to face migration challenges

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 26, 2024

The readiness of the Republic of Cyprus to address the complex challenges related to migration, always within the framework of international and European law, was highlighted during meetings held in Athens by the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nikolas Ioannides.

According to a press release, circulated by the Press and Information Office (PIO) on Wednesday, the Deputy Minister met on September 19 with the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, and the Deputy Minister, Sofia Voultepsi. Also attending the meeting from the Greek side were the General Secretary of Migration Policy, Manos Logothetis, and the Head of the Asylum Service, Marios Kaleas.

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The Cypriot delegation, included the Director-General of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, Neofytos Papadopoulos and the Head of the Asylum Service, Andreas Georgiades.

The two delegations examined the recent developments in EU countries and the new challenges arising in relation to migration. They agreed on the need for close cooperation through the operation of technical committees and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure better management of shared challenges.

Discussions also focused on the implementation of the provisions of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Greek model for managing unaccompanied minors, and the need to exploit potential synergies in tackling smuggling networks in collaboration with FRONTEX and other countries. Additionally, they discussed issues related to the management and effective integration of legal migrants.

The press release also said that the Deputy Minister met with the Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Greece, Sanja Celebic Lukovac, and the former Head of IOM Greece and current Regional Emergency Coordinator, Gianluca Rocco (via teleconference).

The two officials expressed understanding of the challenges and concerns posed by the increased migration flows to Cyprus and recognized that the Republic of Cyprus is a model in voluntary returns, ranking first in the EU in terms of returns relative to its population, the press release says.

The Deputy Minister thanked the IOM officials for their support and determination in managing the multiple challenges and requested their mediation to hold Turkey accountable, particularly regarding the arrival of migrants in the Buffer Zone via Turkey and the occupied areas.

Ioannides also met with the Head of the Greece Sector in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, Aristides Psarras. They discussed, among other topics, the re-evaluation of areas in Syria to classify them as safe zones and issues concerning the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The press release said that during the meeting, the crucial role of Cyprus in safeguarding the EU’s external borders was highlighted, and the need for practical solidarity among member states was emphasised. Dr. Ioannides pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus looks forward to the support of its partners in protecting the state’s interests, fully respecting the provisions of international and European law.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.