Cyprus, Austria call for solidarity among EU countries to face migration crisis

Cyprus and Austria on Tuesday called for solidarity and cooperation among all EU countries in facing the migration crisis.

Visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer said after talks with his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades that they were in agreement that the problem cannot be dealt with by individual countries.

He also deplored actions aimed at preventing migrants from crossing into EU countries.

"The problem cannot be solved by putting up iron curtains," Fischer said.

He added that Austria is facing pressure by hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to cross into Germany and it is trying to provide humanitarian assistance.

"There is need for a better supervision of the external frontiers of the European Union," said Fischer.

Anastasiades said he agreed with the Austrian President that the migration crisis can only be dealt with if all EU countries show solidarity.

"We all have to work together to deal with the problem and tackle it at its origin," said Anastasiades.

Fischer arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.

He has already had talks with Anastasiades which focused on the migration crisis, bilateral relations between the two countries, regional issues and cooperation within EC and the Cyprus problem.

Anastasiades is currently engaged in negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mustafa Akinci, aimed at reunifying the eastern Mediterranean island.

Cyprus was split when Turkey occupied its northern part, responding to a coup by officers of the military junta then ruling Greece.

Anastasiades said he told his Austrian counterpart that he is committed to finding a solution which will incorporate European Union principles.

He said EU has a vital role to play in promoting a solution.

Fischer said that the negotiations on the Cyprus problem seem to be promising.

"Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci have proved that they can find a solution," he said.

Both president said the relations and cooperation between their countries are excellent, both on a bi-lateral level and within the European Union.

They said the will work further for their promotion as regards commerce, education and culture.

At the end of their talks President Anastasiades and President Fischer signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Education and Culture. Endit