Cyprus has sent a 22 member security force to Greece to help defend and protect its borders with Europe amid the migrant crisis at Evros.
The team is made up of anti riot police and flew to Greece yesterday aboard a Greek air force airplane. They are due to take up their duties today.
They were seen off at Larnaca Airport by Justice Minister Yiorgos Savvu
The decision was announced after a long telephone conversation between President Nicos Anastasiades with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
A written statement by Government Spokesman Kyriakos Koushios said that the two leaders discussed the latest developments regarding the migrant issue and Turkey’s policy on the issue as well as the situation at the borders of Greece with Turkey and the growing influx of migrants to Cyprus.
The Spokesman said there was complete accord between the two leaders who agreed on the stance they will maintain during the telephone conversation they will have with President of the European Council, Charles Michel who will later on hold talks with Turkish President Tayip Erdogan. The latter will also hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
According to Koushios, the President of the Republic informed the Greek Prime Minister that Cyprus is ready to deploy a force to Greece, consisting of members of the security forces “to protect Greece’s borders, which are also Europe`s borders.”
President Anastasiades’ proposal was welcomed by the Greek Premier. The Cyprus Security Force will be immediately deployed to Greece to “defend and protect the borders of Greece and Europe”, Kousios added.
(Cyprus News Agency)
