Regarding yesterday's newspaper article entitled "Cyprus: a little soul for 80 euros", the Ministry of Interior clarifies that what the article says is far from the reality.
Specifically, the Ministry of Health contacted the Ministry of Interior on 30 December 2021 stating that the immediate transfer of an asylum seeker to Greece for medical treatment was required. Due to the criticality of her situation, it was necessary to immediately issue travel documents and an entry visa so that she could travel immediately.
On the same day, the Asylum Service contacted the Consul of Greece in Cyprus and sent the necessary certificates that had been requested. At the same time, again on the same day, the Civil Registry and Immigration Department was informed for the immediate issuance of a travel document (laissez passer). Taking into account the humanitarian aspect of this case, the Population and Immigration Registry Department issued the necessary travel document at no financial cost to the person concerned and the document was issued on 3 January 2022. In addition, on 5 January 2022, the Civil Registry and Immigration Department informed the Ministry of Health that if any costs are incurred for issuing documents by the Consulate of Greece, the costs should be covered by the relevant departments of the Ministry of Interior. However, the Consulate of Greece informed that it issued the necessary entry visa without any charge due to the humanitarian dimension of the matter.
We find it regrettable, to say the least, to publish such inaccuracies, especially when it comes to humanitarian issues, distorting the realities without first asking for the positions of those involved.
We therefore respond to the newspaper's question about "how much a soul is worth to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior" and wonder whether journalistic ethics are applied.
What we expect at the very least is an apology but also a correction of what was wrongly written, giving due weight as given to the publication in question.
(MB/EXP)
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