We have never shown that the ever-increasing immigration issue is creating angelic conditions for our society and for the immigrants themselves.B-5]
We have never hidden the fact that the country's asylum and reception system has exceeded its limits. We have never closed our mouths to hide the fact that our country is in a state of emergency and that the capacity to accommodate more migrants has long since been exhausted. How many times have we said that increasing flows have stranded the relevant state agencies to respond to growing arrivals? How many times have we said that disproportionate pressures are victimizing those who really need it? How many times have we talked about exorbitant numbers that we cannot manage? How many times have we pointed out the enormous pressures and fingered the instrumentalisation of migrants? How many times have we referred to demographic alienation, ghettoisation and increased urbanisation in certain areas? There is no need for people to point out the problem, because we have NEVER swept it under the carpet. On the contrary, we declare that NEVER AGAIN have so many measures been taken and NEVER AGAIN have asylum reception and examination procedures been improved as much as in any other administration. YES, we have pressed the EU many times and asked, as never before, for a helping hand from our European partners. We recall that recently the President of the Republic, in a letter to the President of the European Commission, asked for emergency support and assistance to manage the crisis. We also recall that, among other things, we submitted a set of proposals, which were adopted by the relevant MED5 Ministers, in which we ask the EU to roll out specific measures to protect the European borders, but also the Green Line, which is not a border; and it is something that is included in the Ministerial Declaration for the first time. YES, we are trying to close black holes in the 180-kilometre-long ceasefire line, which undoubtedly creates unique conditions for the growth of irregular migration. And we are continuing to strengthen the measures. YES, we have already greatly increased the capacity of Reception Centres to handle the disproportionate numbers for our country. At the same time, HOWEVER, we cannot fill Cyprus with Reception Centres. YES, we provide incentives for migrants to voluntarily return to their countries of origin. YES, we have concentrated, as never before, our efforts on the examination of manifestly unfounded applications with fast procedures and already since 01/01/21 when the new immigration policy is implemented, we have issued 14.762 decisions as opposed to 6,468 in 2020 and 5,164 in 2019. We have unprecedentedly increased the number of Asylum Service officers to process applications, resulting in the Asylum Service completing the primary examination and issuing decisions within 10 days. At the same time, we have increased, as never before, the number of judges of the Administrative Tribunal for International Protection, in order to speed up the appellate procedures. We got to the root of the problem of bogus student arrivals and drastically curtailed bogus marriage cases. We promoted agreements with third countries and increased refunds. Unfortunately, HOWEVER it is not what we do domestically, as the Ministry of Interior. Cyprus has been left alone at the mercy of a constant bombardment of migrant influx. Migrants, pushed by Turkey as a result of the instrumentalization and exploitation of human suffering by circuits "selling" Cyprus as a cheap destination that opens the "gates of paradise" to Europe.B-45]And we reply that YES, FOR THESE REASONS, the numbers have not been reduced, despite our efforts.
YES our country, for the fifth consecutive year, is the Member State that receives the highest number of applicants for international protection in proportion to its population, with the percentage of applicants and beneficiaries of international protection corresponding to 4.4% of the population of Cyprus.
YES, a total of more than 12,200 asylum applications have been submitted to date for 2021, of which 85% concern persons who have irregularly crossed into the free areas from the occupied territories across the Green Line.
We as the Ministry of Interior have repeatedly referred to the state of emergency in which our country finds itself.
So instead of some people presenting the problem as if it were something new and shooting at the Government as if it had remained inactive and indifferent, let them answer the questions if what they want is to open the borders of Cyprus, with no weights and measures, and turn it into a huge reception and hospitality centre, whatever our capabilities, whatever the economic price for Cypriot citizens.
Both our country and its citizens are not only not lacking in humanity and sensitivity, but have demonstrated it over time. We have all the goodwill and intention to welcome and accommodate people in real need and to support vulnerable groups in particular.
Unfortunately, Cyprus alone cannot carry such numbers on its shoulders, and some people should realise this.
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Sourcehttps://www.pio.gov.cy/ανακοινωθέντα-άρθρο.html?id=24834
