[BB-0]22173[BB-1]
[BB-2]Today's front page article in Politis, referring to the Lakes Centre, is full of inaccuracies.[BB-3] [BB-4]The new centre, which is referred to in a pompous manner, was built with money from the national budget, without initially requesting European funding, simply because there was no luxury of time to wait for such a time-consuming process.[BB-5] [BB-6] [BB-6] So there is no question of meeting any particular standards beyond what is appropriate, nor does the reference to the lack of infrastructure reflect reality. It was built within the framework of our immigration policy to serve a specific purpose, which is none other than the accommodation of those applicants whose asylum procedures are completed. At the same time, the Republic has applied for European funding for a second pre-removal centre to be built right next to the Lakes Accommodation Centre. As part of this request, we have included additional upgrading works to the Reception Centre, a design which not only meets the standards and guidelines of the European Commission, but we have already secured the consent of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to submit a funding proposal.[BB-9] [BB-10] [BB-10]Therefore, "Politis" misinforms by stating that "the project does not meet the standards so that its funding can proceed".[BB-11] [BB-12]On the contrary, for the first time, the Republic of Cyprus is acquiring structures that enable the rational management of migrants and this has already been welcomed by the European Commission itself:[BB-13] [BB-14] [BB-15]First Reception Centre "Pournara" for the conduct of asylum procedures, [BB-16]Family Accommodation Centre in Kofinou, [BB-17]Accommodation Centre in "Lakes" with the right of exit of the residents, [BB-18]and Pre-Removal Centre also in "Lakes" for those who will be in the process of return or deportation. [BB-19] [BB-20]The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the State Ministry of Social Welfare is managing the huge migratory flows, which increased sharply by more than 100% in the months of October and November, on the basis of our capacities, with the staff of our ministries overstretching themselves.[BB-21] [BB-22]No one is happy with the situation in "Pournara". Nor are the citizens of this country, who are rightfully complaining. Our responsibility is not only to support the truly needy, but to limit the flows and protect our country. And we are doing this to the best of our ability.[BB-23] [BB-24] [BB-24]Criticism is always welcome. But malicious, mocking and distorted presentation of information for the purpose of creating impressions, when it does not correspond to reality, should be censured. [BB-25]
[BB-26](Ephys)
[BB-27]Contents of this article including associated images are owned by [BB-28]PIO[BB-29]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [BB-30]PIO[BB-31][BB-32]
[BB-33]Source[BB-34][BB-35]
[BB-2]Today's front page article in Politis, referring to the Lakes Centre, is full of inaccuracies.[BB-3] [BB-4]The new centre, which is referred to in a pompous manner, was built with money from the national budget, without initially requesting European funding, simply because there was no luxury of time to wait for such a time-consuming process.[BB-5] [BB-6] [BB-6] So there is no question of meeting any particular standards beyond what is appropriate, nor does the reference to the lack of infrastructure reflect reality. It was built within the framework of our immigration policy to serve a specific purpose, which is none other than the accommodation of those applicants whose asylum procedures are completed. At the same time, the Republic has applied for European funding for a second pre-removal centre to be built right next to the Lakes Accommodation Centre. As part of this request, we have included additional upgrading works to the Reception Centre, a design which not only meets the standards and guidelines of the European Commission, but we have already secured the consent of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to submit a funding proposal.[BB-9] [BB-10] [BB-10]Therefore, "Politis" misinforms by stating that "the project does not meet the standards so that its funding can proceed".[BB-11] [BB-12]On the contrary, for the first time, the Republic of Cyprus is acquiring structures that enable the rational management of migrants and this has already been welcomed by the European Commission itself:[BB-13] [BB-14] [BB-15]First Reception Centre "Pournara" for the conduct of asylum procedures, [BB-16]Family Accommodation Centre in Kofinou, [BB-17]Accommodation Centre in "Lakes" with the right of exit of the residents, [BB-18]and Pre-Removal Centre also in "Lakes" for those who will be in the process of return or deportation. [BB-19] [BB-20]The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the State Ministry of Social Welfare is managing the huge migratory flows, which increased sharply by more than 100% in the months of October and November, on the basis of our capacities, with the staff of our ministries overstretching themselves.[BB-21] [BB-22]No one is happy with the situation in "Pournara". Nor are the citizens of this country, who are rightfully complaining. Our responsibility is not only to support the truly needy, but to limit the flows and protect our country. And we are doing this to the best of our ability.[BB-23] [BB-24] [BB-24]Criticism is always welcome. But malicious, mocking and distorted presentation of information for the purpose of creating impressions, when it does not correspond to reality, should be censured. [BB-25]
[BB-26](Ephys)
[BB-27]Contents of this article including associated images are owned by [BB-28]PIO[BB-29]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [BB-30]PIO[BB-31][BB-32]
[BB-33]Source[BB-34][BB-35]
