Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-03-20

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Tuesday, 20 March 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Ministers of Justice and Interior represent Cyprus at the Ministerial Meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the Candidate Countries

[01] Ministers of Justice and Interior represent Cyprus at the Ministerial Meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the Candidate Countries

The meeting focused on cooperation programmes to combat organized crime, with special emphasis on drug related problems, trading of human beings, immigration and asylum problems.

In his speech, the Minister of Justice and Public Order Mr Nicos Koshis said that Cyprus is closely following developments and decisions regarding security, justice and freedom. He also proposed ways for improving practical coordination between state services dealing with law enforcement.

The Minister of Interior Mr Christodoulou said that the problem of illegal immigrants is created because of economic, social and political reasons. "The Cyprus Government is in favour of a multilateral framework of action to promote cooperation in the field of asylum and protection, as well as in relation to preventive measures against illegal immigration" he said. "It also supports a parallel framework of bilateral cooperation with European Union member States and other candidate countries", he added.

Cypriot legislation is already harmonised with the established European Union acquis on the issues of trafficking of human beings and the sexual exploitation of minors, Mr Christodoulou said.

He also expressed Cyprus' full support for cooperation between the member states and the candidate countries in combating human trafficking, especially on the sexual exploitation of young women with the aim to exchange views and share experiences in order to reach sustainable policies and solutions to common problems.

"We in Cyprus managed to control the problem with the introduction of new and more comprehensive legislation and by applying a set of administrative and other measures, but we feel that despite our efforts, our policies and legislation have not yet been as effective as we have envisaged," he said.

Concluding his statement Mr Christodoulou underlined that "the Government of Cyprus is following closely all the developments in the sphere of cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs and reiterated that all our efforts are directed towards harmonization with the established and envisaged acquis communautaire in this field".

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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