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- Ελληνικά
Today's signing of the contract marks the start of a very important project in the field of migration management, the construction of the "LIMNES" Accommodation Centre for applicants for international protection and a Pre-Repatriation Centre for persons to be repatriated. As has been repeatedly mentioned, the strengthening of infrastructure is an important priority pillar of the Government's migration policy.
The two Centres to be built under this contract will enhance the capacity of the State to better manage the migration challenges and pressures faced by the Republic of Cyprus.
The lack of infrastructure and detention facilities for migrants has been an obstacle to important processes in the sector, such as the faster processing of asylum procedures and the speeding up of migrant repatriation procedures.
With the construction of the open Accommodation Centre for applicants for international protection in "Lakes", with a capacity of 1,000 persons, it will be possible to refer mainly those whose application for international protection has been rejected at first instance. It will also accommodate applicants who come from safe countries of origin and whose application for asylum is examined under an accelerated procedure under the Refugee Law. Our aim is to make it easier and more immediate to identify them in case of a final negative decision for repatriation to their country.
Now, in combination with the second Centre, the Pre-Removal Centre, located near the Accommodation Centre, a more efficient management and facilitation for the systematic return of applicants for international protection, whose application has been finally rejected and who are now residing illegally in Cyprus, will be achieved.
The existing infrastructure, the Detention Centre for Forbidden Migrants located in Menoyia, with a capacity of only 126 persons, was deemed insufficient to manage the returns of the rapidly increasing number of irregular migrants in recent years. This gap was diagnosed about two years ago, highlighting the need to upgrade our infrastructure. Today the new Pre-Removal Centre, with a capacity of 800 illegal residents in the Republic, is being put on the rails, allowing us to respond more effectively to the increased needs for the return of migrants.
The two Centres, which will be completed within 24 months, will be co-financed by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Republic of Cyprus. And this, I must stress, is the result of the successful selection of the proposal submitted to the European Commission by the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Water Development as partners, in a competitive process. Both the Unit and the partners involved in the submission of the proposal are to be commended for this success. The architectural plans for the Centre, which comply with all the specifications required by the European Union and on the basis of which funding was secured, were drawn up by the Department of Town and Country Planning
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a fact that the lack of infrastructure, such as the Pre-Removal Centre, has, as I said before, slowed down the process of returns and expulsions.
The projects we are signing today are therefore important milestones in our efforts to strengthen Cyprus' capacity to manage migration pressures more effectively.
Let me conclude by thanking all those who contributed to the implementation of this project: the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Prefect of Nicosia, the Asylum Service, the European Funds Unit and the Technical Services of the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Public Works and the Electromechanical Services of the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Water Development, the Cyprus Police, and all the departments of the State involved. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the European Commission, as well as to all European organisations for their continued support.
I hope that both the creation of the Centres and the other measures we are taking as a Government will continue to have a positive impact in terms of results and numbers, highlighting good and effective management in the areas of asylum and migration.
(EFYs/NG)
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