The migration issue and the problems it causes in our country, is turning into a national issue, the Ministry of Interior responded in a statement to today's statement by DIKO on the management of the migration issue, adding that it is really sad, such a serious issue for our country, to become an object of populism for gaining temporary party points
It is noted that the government is making a huge effort and is fighting under extremely adverse conditions due to the instrumentalization of migratory flows from Turkey, which systematically and daily pushes through the green line hundreds of illegal immigrants to the areas controlled by the Republic.
"This is the problem and this is what we expected parties like the Democratic Party (DIKO) to raise in their public discourse, if they really want to help tackle the problem. Instead, DIKO, with a poorly argued statement, is populist, talking about the government's mismanagement of the problem," it adds.
They know in DIKO, the Interior Ministry continues, that due to the arrival of 13,200 new asylum seekers, tens of millions of Cypriot taxpayers' money had to be paid for the accommodation of these persons in 2021 alone. They know very well in DIKO that at the same time with the passing of the legislation on sham marriages, they have almost been reduced to zero.
"They also know that with the decisive decisions of the Council of Ministers we have eliminated the problem of sham students. And much more they know that by shortening the time for applicants to submit appeals, we were able in 2021 to process almost 15,000 asylum applications and reject 9,328 of them," it said.
"So what delay is DIKO talking about?", the Interior Ministry asks."
It is also mentioned, the ministry notes, that we failed to implement voluntary return mechanisms while no other European country was able to complete 2,320 voluntary returns in 2021. "It is truly regrettable that such a serious issue for our country is becoming an object of populism to gain temporary party points," it added.
The Interior Ministry says that the whole of society recognizes that the problem we are facing today is due to Turkey's methodical tactics and the now hybrid attack we are facing with the instrumentalization of the migration issue and the exploitation of human suffering.
Everyone knows, it notes, that traffickers are making money inside and outside Cyprus on the backs of unsuspecting migrants. "Everyone knows that property owners exploit migrants by stowing them in unsuitable accommodation, enriching themselves at their expense. And everyone is well aware that others have set up an industry of illegal and undocumented work that makes our country a magnet for immigration. These are the cumulative challenges we face and these are the ones we are fighting to manage."
The least we expect from the political forces, it is noted, are responsible positions on a problem that now touches our towns and villages, each and every one of us, and not empty slogans.
Source: KYPE
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