Dear Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior,Dear representatives of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission,
Dear members of the Monitoring Committee,
Distinguished guests,

I would like to welcome you to the Monitoring Committee Home Affairs Funds 2014-2020, held for the fourth time within the framework of the programming period 2014-2020 and to thank each one of you for your presence.

The role of the Monitoring Committee is very significant to the implementation of National Programmes and, consequently, to their correct and substantial implementation. This is a useful tool both for recording the activities of the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior as Responsible Authority for the Home Affairs Funds and for the programming of our short- and long-term actions.

For us, this is an institution taking place once a year. An institution that fulfils our obligations as Responsible Authority under the Home Affairs Funds Regulation of the one part and constitutes a forum of the other part, an opportunity to meet the actors involved and our partners and present the overall progress achieved within the context of the national programmes of the Funds.

We find ourselves almost at the end of this programming period. Much of the activities under the national programmes have been implemented, while the programming for the next budgetary framework 2021-2027 is on track, in order to meet the objectives of both the utilisation rate and meeting the needs of the Republic of Cyprus in the areas of management of migration flows.

It is reminded that the programming period 2014-2020 of the Funds may co-fund expenses incurred by 31 December 2022. So, in the next two to three years we are being called upon to put the finishing touches to the National Programmes of this programming period. Firstly, we shall promote the co-funding of projects covering our needs as a State, as well as the aims of the National Programmes. Secondly, we shall target mature projects that will be able to be implemented under the remaining timeframes of the period 2014-2020.

The projects to be promoted for implementation shortly are a small number of new projects with direct award, while it is likely to have one last Call for proposal shortly. Moreover, some of our projects under implementation, which are deemed important based on our needs and priorities will be renewed.

A substantial work has been carried out since the beginning of this programming period with notable outcomes by the Responsible Authority and its partners, which include public and private actors, local authorities, international organisations, NGOs and other partners. As to the financial targets, the Responsible Authority has once again managed to reach the utilisation rates for the current financial year in relation to the targets set out by the European Commission. Everything has been done to avoid the release of any sum by the Republic of Cyprus, with the result that the Responsible Authority has entered in the accounts for the financial year 2018 the amount of approximately €11.5 million from EU and national resources, by 15 October 2019.

This continuous effort and the cooperation of beneficiaries involved are some of the factors making successful the implementation of National Programmes of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and of the Internal Security Fund. The successful implementation of National Programmes is translated in turn into applied asylum, migration, integration and internal security policies at national and, consequently, at European level, as well as into supervision and external borders control policies. These are particularly sensitive and significant fields for the political and social stability of a State, especially in such a long period of migration and humanitarian crisis in the wider South-Eastern Mediterranean region.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On the occasion of this Committee, I would like to inform you that the Unit as the Managing Authority of the Home Affairs Funds 2021-2027, has commenced its programming for the new programming period aiming at the timely and effective utilisation of resources that will be available for the Republic within the context of the new Funds. We are trying to avoid any time gap between the two programming periods as to the implementation of the projects. The aim is to continue the implementation of projects that need to have a continuity, given both needs and the increasing pressures and challenges addressed by the Republic. You will have the opportunity to receive more information on the new programming through the Responsible Authority’s presentation later in the day.

Finally, I would like to note that the utilisation of European resources is not the primary and only objective of the implementation of projects under the Home Affaires Funds. The most important for us is our fellowman, his support and the wellbeing and safety of our society. Therefore, as you will see later on, we are now able to talk about co-funded projects aiming at the implementation of value added programmes and actions both for the citizens of the Republic and the target group, the third-country nationals.

Dear partners and final beneficiaries of projects,

It would be an oversight if I failed to thank you for our good and successful partnership, as well as for your continuous effort for the correct implementation of co-funded projects aiming at achieving the best possible outcomes. The relationship of trust between the Responsible Authority and you, is actually proved by the high degree of representativeness in the Monitoring Committees, which is a guaranty for the continuity of our constructive partnership.

At this point, I would also like to thank the representatives of the European Commission, who, just like every year, are here specifically for participating in the proceedings of the Monitoring Committees Home Affairs Funds in Cyprus offering all possible assistance to the efficient execution of our task. Allow me to also thank the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior who is here with us today.

Mr Permanent Secretary,

Your presence is a honour for us and at the same time underlines the importance given by the competent ministry to the implementation of the Home Affairs Funds and demonstrates your commitment to the crucial and important issue of management of migration flows.

Before going on with the rest of the addresses, allow me to present you a short film prepared for the Home Affairs Funds, containing mainly footage from the archives of the Asylum Service and the Final Beneficiaries from the projects implemented and under implementation, which outlines the Funds’ objectives. I am sure that three minutes are not enough to illustrate the work done by all the parties involved, however this is an outline of the effort that has been made.

After the end of the film, I would ask the Permanent Secretary to deliver his address.