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The Republic of Cyprus has repeatedly demonstrated that it respects its international obligations and provides on a daily basis humanitarian assistance and medical care, whenever requested, to irregular migrants already in the Dead Zone.
Besides, the management of the migration issue and the asymmetric flows we have received in recent years demonstrate our commitment and respect for international law and our contractual obligations, a political practice for which the Republic of Cyprus has received praise from European institutions and organisations.
In relation to statements made by a representative of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), we must clarify that irregular migrants arrived (between 31/07/2024 and 01/08/2024) in the occupied territories from Turkey by sea, according to their own testimonies. They then crossed unhindered into the Dead Zone.
Cyprus Police forces patrolling the area did not allow the irregular migrants to leave the Dead Zone and enter the free areas.
The Republic of Cyprus respects its international obligations, as well as national and EU law, and therefore continues effective surveillance along the Dead Zone, in accordance with the Green Line Regulation, as is its obligation.
On the occasion of this incident, we would like to reiterate that Turkey is considered a safe country for asylum purposes and must provide access to these procedures to migrants on its territory. The Republic of Cyprus cannot shoulder Turkey's omissions and be asked to take responsibility for irregular migrants who come to Cyprus from Turkey through the occupied territories.
Any positions, therefore, should not overlook the root cause and the perpetrators of this predicament of irregular migrants within the Dead Zone.
The application or even invocation of international law cannot be selective.
We would also like to note that since the Government is in discussions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to resolve the problem of the presence of irregular migrants in the Dead Zone, such statements do not contribute to addressing the issue.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus reiterates once again its commitment to taking measures for the effective management of the migration issue in our country, and in this context the implementation of the decision to prevent the creation of channels for irregular migrants.
(GA/EATH)
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