Lithuania and Cyprus have signed a memorandum under the European Union's solidarity mechanism, under which 58 migrants will be relocated from Cyprus to Lithuania, with Lithuania's remaining obligations to be met through a financial contribution of 1.14 million euros.
The memorandum was signed on Friday between Lithuania's Migration Department and Cyprus's Ministry of Migration and International Protection during an informal meeting of EU ministers.
The agreement forms part of the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which allows member states to fulfil their solidarity obligations either by accepting migrants from countries under pressure or by making financial contributions.
Lithuania's government decided last December to split its obligations, accepting half the required number of migrants and paying for the other half.
Under the terms of the deal, Cyprus is responsible for registering the individuals to be relocated, preparing documentation, conducting medical checks, arranging translation and providing information. Lithuania will cover the remaining share of its obligations financially.
Migration Department head Indrė Gasperė said the agreement demonstrated Lithuania's readiness to contribute to shared European solutions.
"Lithuania supports the principles of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and seeks stronger cooperation between member states," she said.
The EU solidarity mechanism is designed to share responsibility among member states when particular countries face disproportionate migration pressure. Lithuania is implementing its obligations alongside other EU members as the pact enters into force.
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