Members of the Western Balkans subgroup of the Eurojust network against migrant smuggling visited the Pournara Screening, Reception and Identification Centre on Friday. The visit focused on how the Republic of Cyprus is implementing the new procedures of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Visit during subgroup meeting in Larnaca
According to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, the visit took place as part of the subgroup’s fourth meeting, held in Larnaca on 29 and 30 October.
Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, supports coordination between judicial and prosecuting authorities in cross-border cases of serious and organised crime.
Tour of the upgraded facilities
The delegation was welcomed by officials from the Asylum Service and the Deputy Ministry. Members toured the upgraded facilities and were briefed on the centre’s daily operation, its infrastructure and the cooperation between the services working there.
Focus on the new EU procedures
According to the announcement, particular emphasis was placed on how the Republic of Cyprus is implementing the new procedures of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and on the role of Pournara.
Officials presented how the upgraded infrastructure is used for the screening, registration and identification of new arrivals. They also explained how the competent authorities coordinate to process cases more quickly, in line with the new European requirements.
Cypriot and European agencies involved
The briefing was also attended by representatives of the Cyprus Police Aliens and Immigration Unit, Frontex, Europoland the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), who presented their activities at the centre.
They spoke about the work of the Frontex standing corps, the gathering of information through interviews with migrants, and cooperation between national services and European agencies.
About the Eurojust network
The Eurojust network on migrant smuggling brings together specialised prosecutors and judicial officials from member states and third countries. Its aim is to share expertise and make cooperation on specific cases easier.
According to the announcement, the visit was an opportunity to present Cyprus’s experience in managing arrivals and implementing the new European framework. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation between field services and judicial and prosecuting authorities in tackling migrant smuggling networks more effectively.
Source: CNA
