The possibility of issuing identity cards and passports by Cypriot diplomatic missions abroad was discussed by the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
After discussing the issue, DIKO MP Chrisis Pantelides said that through the use of a biometric data capture system, Cypriot citizens permanently residing abroad or temporary visitors will be given the opportunity to issue or renew their passports and identity cards.
"At the moment only 24 of the 50 diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus are provided with this facility. Another 26 diplomatic missions, 10 of which are located in the territory of the EU, do not have a biometric data collection system, so they cannot serve Cypriot citizens directly and efficiently," he said, adding that "this creates a discrimination against Cypriot citizens and is not in line with the standards that a modern European state must meet in order to serve its citizens abroad."
Mr. Pantelides noted that the Commission called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prioritise the diplomatic missions that do not have this system and to draw up a plan so that in the coming years, starting with the 2023 budget, all our diplomatic missions will be able to be equipped with this infrastructure.
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