An Agreement of Understanding to co-fund the establishment of an International Centre of Coordination for Humanitarian Operations in Cyprus was signed on February 5, between the European Funds Unit of the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, according to an official press release issued on Wednesday.

The Centre aims to manage and coordinate migration flows from the Middle East, is expected to be ready by mid-2016.

The agreement was signed by the head of the unit Constantinos Kyprianou and on behalf of the Transport Ministry by its Permanent Secretary Alekos Michaelides.

According to the press release, as the competent authority, the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre of the Republic of Cyprus suggested the establishment of the International Centre, in the framework of the EU effort to control immigration flows from Middle East countries, as well as to address illegal transportation of third countries citizens, who are spotted aboard vessels travelling to Cyprus or/and to other European countries.

The Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of this Centre, which will also operate as a comprehensive surveillance, identification, prevention and control centre of the sea area for which the Republic bears responsibility and has jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Centre will operate at a venue close to Larnaca Airport under the coordination of Cyprus` Search and Rescue Coordination Centre. It will serve both the Republic of Cyprus, EU members and other countries, at their request.

The project is co-funded by 90% by the EU Internal Security Fund and by 10% by the Republic of Cyprus.