Special emphasis is placed on the implementation of policies and actions aiming the best possible inclusion of third country nationals legally residing in Cyprus in all aspects of Cypriot society and economy, Interior Minister, Konstantinos Ioannou, said on Friday, noting that in order to achieve this goal the Ministry, in cooperation with all relevant Ministries, Services and Departments, has prepared a comprehensive Action Plan with 50 actions, which are based on five pillars.
In his address during the first public consultation on the Action Plan for the Integration and Social Inclusion of Migrants 2024-2026 at the Journalists House, Ioannou said that through a series of meetings that have been scheduled, civil society will have the opportunity to express an opinion and contribute in the formulation of the final Action Plan for the Integration and Social Inclusion of Migrants, for the three-year period 2024-2026.
He pointed out that in the context of participatory democracy and active citizenship, “we co
nsider the feedback we will receive from civil society to be crucial in order to shape the final Plan.”
Ioannou noted that the contributions submitted by citizens themselves and other stakeholders will undoubtedly be a valuable tool for the development and implementation of policies for the integration and inclusion of people with a migrant background.
“Social inclusion and integration issues constitute a particularly sensitive and humanitarian aspect of migration, which both the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus take seriously into account when designing policies,” the Minister said.
He added that in the framework of the integrated migration policy adopted by the Government, particular emphasis is placed on the implementation of policies and actions aiming to best integrate third country nationals legally residing in Cyprus in all aspects of Cypriot society and economy.
In order to achieve this goal, he continued, the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with all relevant Ministries, Services and
Departments, has prepared a comprehensive Action Plan with 50 actions, which are based on five pillars.
He explained that the policies that have been co-formulated are in the areas of housing, employment, skills improvement, health and education.
At the same time, he stated that the proper preparation of migrants for their smooth integration into the social, economic and cultural life of Cyprus is an essential factor in cultivating a culture of acceptance by the native population, which is an equally important goal for a government.
Ioannou assured that the proposals recorded during the public consultation will be subjected to thorough study, with the aim of being used to the fullest extent for the implementation of an Action Plan that will have tangible and substantial results.
Source: Cyprus News Agency