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We are delighted to visit the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Kofinou, which has recently been upgraded, thanks to the valuable support of the European Asylum Agency (EUAA).
The visit to the Centre, which is being carried out jointly with Ms Nina Gregory, Executive Director of the EUAA, and Ms Beate Gminder, Deputy Director General at the EU Directorate General for Home Affairs, marks the completion of the construction works of the Centre and the start of its operational phase, which is scheduled to start in about two weeks, when it will start hosting residents.
EUAA has provided significant support with the supply of prefabricated housing and office units to meet the growing needs of the Centre during a period of continuous migratory flows to Cyprus, which has greatly affected our reception capacity.
The development of this Centre will soon move to another phase, in which its capacity will be significantly increased, allowing us to accommodate around 700 residents. The second phase is expected to be completed around the first half of 2024.
As I mentioned in our meeting with Nina today, EUAA's substantial and ongoing assistance to the Cypriot authorities in various aspects of the asylum and reception process, including human resources, expertise, training, technical support and equipment, is highly appreciated.
Undoubtedly, the EUAA has been one of our most valuable partners in our efforts to effectively manage the increased and disproportionately large migratory flows to the island in recent years.
Pending the final agreement on the EU Pact on Immigration and Asylum and with the uneven distribution of asylum seekers across EU Member States, the EUAA is faced with the challenge of establishing uniformity in asylum and reception procedures between Member States with different national asylum policies, practices and mechanisms. Raising standards of quality and harmonisation can only lead to increased overall confidence in EU asylum procedures and contribute to the establishment of the Common European Asylum System.
Improving reception and hosting infrastructures remains a top priority of the current government's migration policy. Apart from the reinforcement of the Kofinou Accommodation Centre, we have other important projects underway. These include the construction of a Accommodation Centre for applicants for international protection with a capacity of 1,000 persons and a Pre-Removal Centre in the Lakes with a capacity of approximately 800 persons. The European Commission is financially supporting these projects with a contribution of €67.6 million.
At the same time, the "Pournara" First Reception Centre in Kokkinotrimithia is also being upgraded, with direct funding from the Commission to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) of Greece.
These ongoing projects are of great importance as they aim, on the one hand, to improve the living conditions of the residents and to enhance the management and efficiency of asylum procedures and, on the other hand, to facilitate the return of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. They are important milestones in our efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Republic of Cyprus to effectively manage migration flows.
In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to EUAA, and personally to NIna, not only for their contribution to the Kofinou Centre, but also for their continued support to Cyprus during these last years of constant challenges. I also express my special appreciation to the EUAA office in Cyprus, especially to Francesco and the entire team, for their invaluable support and excellent cooperation.
I look forward to further strengthening our cooperation to achieve even more tangible results.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity of Ms Beate Gminder's presence here today to express the Government's sincere gratitude to the European Commission for its unwavering support.
The solidarity shown by the European Commission and EU agencies is truly valuable and deeply appreciated.
Apart from the EUAA and the European Commission, I would also like to thank the Asylum Service, the Technical Services of the Ministry of Interior, the Prefect of Nicosia, the Department of Cadastre and Land Surveying, the Department of Town Planning and Zoning, the Department of Electromechanical Services and all those who contributed to the rapid implementation of the upgrading of the Kofinou Accommodation Centre. Finally, we would like to thank the Cyprus Police and the Local Authority of Kofinou for their cooperation, support and assistance.
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