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- Ελληνικά
I welcome you to today's press conference, which gives us the opportunity to take stock of what the Ministry of Interior has implemented and launched in the last year to manage the migration issue.
Taking over in March 2023, we took over with the Home Office an extremely difficult situation in terms of immigration. Despite the strenuous efforts of the previous Government, the enormous migratory pressure that the European countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the entire European Union were and still are under, limited the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate the problem.
Our country's reception and hospitality system was under suffocating pressure and the effort was primarily focused on managing the disproportionate number of migrants.
Our country's reception and hospitality system was under suffocating pressure and the effort was primarily focused on managing the disproportionate number of migrants. Suffice it to say that the number of irregular migrants arriving in our country was such that the "Pournara" First Reception Centre had exceeded its accommodation capacity, reaching a record number of more than three thousand residents. Also indicative of the difficult situation is the fact that in March 2023 the number of pending asylum applications exceeded 30,000.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assessing the situation and aiming to create the conditions for better management of the migration issue, the Government of Nicos Christodoulides immediately adopted a new strategy with a holistic approach, which is based on four central pillars:
[*]the reduction of arrivals of new asylum seekers, [*]the acceleration of asylum application examination procedures, [*]the improvement of accommodation infrastructure and reception conditions, and [*]the increase in the number of returns.
Restricting migration flows - Reducing arrivals
More specifically, one of our findings concerned the massive arrivals of irregular migrants through the Green Line. These were mainly nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries, who arrived via Istanbul Airport in the occupied territories, most of whom had so-called student visas and then crossed over to the free areas, where they applied for asylum.
What became apparent was that the vast majority were coming to Cyprus for the economic benefits and not because of the danger they faced in their country. Contributing to the uncontrolled migratory flows was the fact that traffickers, taking advantage of these persons' need for a better life, created expectations among migrants, luring them into believing that Cyprus was an "economic paradise" where they could access large amounts of benefits, as well as the labour market until their asylum application was processed.
To address this, we have taken a number of actions to reduce arrivals. In particular,
- We carried out an online information campaign in countries of origin, such as Nigeria, Cameroon and DR Congo, to inform potential migrants about the real conditions in Cyprus. This campaign was particularly successful, as the information page referred to in the promotion attracted more than two million hits.
- We negotiated the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean, in which we succeeded in including almost all the positions of the Republic, so that the Plan has added value for Cyprus, with measures that limit the uncontrolled arrival of migrants from Turkey, focusing on restricting the flows, mainly from Turkey.
- In fact, especially in the actions related to Turkey, we have pressed the European Commission for measures aimed at improving the level of control of persons arriving in Cyprus through Istanbul Airport, with the assistance of Frontex and Europol.
- At the same time, we have taken measures to make Cyprus a less attractive destination, limiting the economic benefits. In particular, by interconnecting the systems of the Asylum Service and the Social Welfare Services, we ensured the immediate withdrawal of benefits from all those whose application is finally rejected.
- At the same time, we increased the time limit for the right to work after asylum from one to nine months, in order to limit access to financial resources beyond material reception conditions.
- In connection with this, we intensified controls in industrial sectors to combat illegal employment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
- In addition to the above, recognizing that migrant flows are the result of the activities of organized networks of traffickers, we focused on cracking down on the circuits in cooperation with neighboring countries of origin, strengthening the exchange of information.
- At the same time, we have set up a special unit within the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Police, with the exclusive responsibility of identifying and dismantling traffickers' networks.
The result of the above actions was a 37% decrease in arrivals, at the same time that asylum applications also recorded a decrease of almost 50%. In contrast to Cyprus where the number of new asylum seekers decreased significantly, in the other European countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, there was an increase. For example, in Greece the increase in new asylum seekers reached 72%, in Italy 61% and in Spain 38%. There was a sharp decrease of 72% in particular for new asylum seekers from African countries. The data suggest that the problem of mass arrivals from Africa has largely been resolved. The optimistic thing for us is that, despite the increase in the flows by sea, which are mostly Syrian nationals, overall there is a decrease.
Speeding up asylum processing procedures
A very important aspect of the problem was the fact that the processing of asylum applications was completed in one year on average and in many cases, this period exceeded 21 months. On the one hand, this was due to the large number of arrivals which made it difficult to manage the applications. On the other hand, it was the result of a lack of staff in the Asylum Service and delays in the legal procedure.
To address this problem, we gradually increased and eventually more than doubled the number of asylum examiners, and we are now at 85, up from 35 in March last year. Thanks to the increase in the number of examiners, we have been able to reduce the period for examining asylum applications to a maximum of three months, given that an average of 2 200 applications are examined every month. In total, 20,239 decisions were issued in 2023. The Government's target for 2024, as announced by the President of the Republic recently, is to reduce this time further and to issue decisions within 30 days.
At the same time and in combination with reduced arrivals, it has been possible to process many of the pending cases and the number has now been reduced to around 26,000. In conjunction with the cooperation we have developed with the Administrative Tribunal for International Protection to implement measures, as well as the placement of an Asylum Service Officer on a permanent basis at the Central Prison, it has been possible to conduct daily interviews and speed up the procedures for processing applications.
The shortening of the examination period is a very important pillar of our policy, as it acts as a deterrent to anyone who would consider coming to Cyprus in order to abuse the system to secure long-term residence and employment.
Improving infrastructure
Equally important in the effective management of the migration issue is the axis concerning the improvement of infrastructure, which, by extension, affects the entire functioning of the reception and hospitality system. Typically, as I mentioned in my introduction, the number of residents at the "Pournara" First Reception Centre exceeded three thousand in 2022, when the capacity of the Centre is about 1,100. In conjunction with the remaining gaps in the timing of the processing of applications, it was not possible to ensure satisfactory living conditions. The reception and accommodation system began to unburden itself by reducing arrivals and speeding up the processing of new applications. Today, the Centre accommodates about 700 persons, a number that varies depending on arrivals and discharges from the Centre.
In addition, improvement works for the transfer of medical equipment, as well as other logistical equipment, have been completed at the Centre, allowing the Centre to operate under better conditions and providing the possibility for better living conditions.
At the same time, construction works to convert the Centre into a closed structure have been largely completed, thus limiting the outflow and influx of people from the Centre. Construction works are ongoing to upgrade the Centre and are expected to be completed within this year.
In addition, work is underway to upgrade and expand the Reception and Accommodation Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Kofinou, with the aim of increasing the available housing units by 100, as well as creating a new medical centre, recreational facilities and other infrastructure. The first phase of the project has been completed and completion is estimated within the first half of 2024, and the Centre will have a capacity of 800 beds. Kofinou will host mainly families with children or single men and women.
Finally, work has started on the construction of a new Accommodation Centre for International Protection Applicants with a capacity of 1,000 persons in the Limnes area and a Pre-departure Centre in Mennogeia, with the capacity to accommodate approximately 800 persons.
Finally, work has started on the construction of a new Accommodation Centre for International Protection Applicants with a capacity of 1,000 persons in the Limnes area and a Pre-departure Centre in Mennogeia, with the capacity to accommodate approximately 800 persons. The project is co-financed by the European Commission with €67.6 million. I have repeatedly stated that the lack of a pre-removal centre, where large numbers of people whose applications have been definitively rejected and who are being deported could be detained, is an obstacle to the completion of our plans. The fact that we do not now have this infrastructure is acting as a brake on our efforts to increase returns, since there is no place to hold rejected and illegal immigrants until the necessary procedures for their removal have been completed. Therefore, at this point in time, the creation of such a space would go a long way in achieving the goal of strengthening the deportation sector.
Strengthening the Returns Sector
Therefore, bearing in mind the lack of a pre-removal centre for mandatory deportations, we as the Ministry of Interior have adopted targeted measures that have led to an increase in departures, whether they involve voluntary returns, deportations, or relocations. In particular, we have strengthened our cooperation with Frontex, at the same time as efforts are being made to secure more places in existing police detention facilities so that the police can carry out larger-scale operations to apprehend illegal immigrants. In particular, it was decided to target operations on the basis of Frontex's scheduled return flights, both in terms of timing and in relation to the available places and the countries of origin of the Agency's flights.
In addition, we placed great emphasis on the voluntary return programme with a financial incentive ranging from €1,000 to €1,500, depending on the country of origin. Furthermore, in cooperation with our partners in the European Union, we made full use of the relocation programme to other Member States, which also contributed to the Union's project of reuniting migrant families.
As a result of the above measures, we managed to increase the number of departures from Cyprus to a very large extent. Indicatively, for the whole of 2023 we had an increase in the total number of departures by 66% compared to 2022, despite the volatile exogenous factors affecting the migration data. The same positive trend was recorded in January this year, following on from the encouraging results in 2023. More specifically, last month, 782 persons arrived in Cyprus, while the number of those who left the country reached 1,081, with the percentage of departures over arrivals reaching 138%. This positive balance between departures and arrivals has been consistently shown in the last quarter and the corresponding rate for the month of February seems to be equally high.
Unlike the other member states in the European Union, which record single-digit departure-arrival rates, Cyprus, having implemented targeted measures, ranks first in the Union in terms of the percentage of departures over arrivals and fourth in absolute numbers of returns and deportations. Very important for us was the moment when, from Nicosia, the Commissioner for Home Affairs praised our country, urging other states to follow the example of Cyprus. Equally praiseworthy are the comments we receive from other European Ministers and officials of migration-related organisations such as the EUAA and UNHCR.
Social inclusion and integration
Intercultural integration and the social inclusion and integration of migrants are among the main parameters of our migration policy. For this reason, we have proceeded to the elaboration of a comprehensive policy, which includes 50 actions divided into five areas, aiming to create conditions for the smooth integration into Cypriot society and economy of third country nationals legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus. The issue of integration of migrants is very high on the priorities of the European Union and the UNHCR and is a commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to its European and international obligations.
Specifically, the five areas are housing, employment, improving skills, education and health. We are in the final stage of completing consultations with all relevant Services and other Ministries involved, and it is expected that the final text will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval in the coming weeks, in March, so that implementation of the actions can begin as soon as possible.
We are also formulating, in cooperation with the European Asylum Agency, the National Reception Strategy, which establishes guidelines for procedures from the reception stage to housing. Finally, a guidance manual for guardians taking care of unaccompanied minors is again being prepared in cooperation with the EUAA and the State Ministry of Social Welfare, with a view to strengthening the framework of protection and support for unaccompanied minors.
Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan
As a frontline member state and having largely resolved the problem of increased flows of Africans, Cyprus is focusing on addressing the disproportionate pressure from nationals of neighbouring Syria, who often use countries such as Lebanon as a transit point.
Through our contacts with Commission, Europol and Frontex officials we have promoted initiatives to strengthen cooperation with countries of origin and transit, with a focus on enhancing effective border management along the Eastern Mediterranean route. In addition, we are looking for ways to create the conditions that will allow illegal migration to be replaced by legal migration, to the benefit of our economy and labour market.
In addition, through our various actions, we have been able to improve asylum procedures and intensify returns by strengthening our cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
Reassessing the status of Syria
The large number of arrivals of Syrian nationals arriving in our country via the sea routes from Syria or Lebanon is a cause for concern. Typically, in 2023 this number increased by 50% compared to 2022. What can be seen from the data collected is the assumption that these people are promoted and exploited by organised migrant smuggling rings.
This fact requires us to intensify our action to combat this form of crime. We have raised this issue urgently with the relevant European Union bodies, calling on them to take more active action to strengthen the operational capacity of the countries, with the involvement of Europol, in the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan. During Commissioner Johansson's last visit, we were able to obtain her commitment to seek the creation of a coordination team under the umbrella of Europol, with the participation of the Cypriot and Lebanese law enforcement authorities, in order to strengthen the efforts made to coordinate the actions of the two services through the expertise of the Agency.
Finally, the Cypriot Government has been promoting an initiative since last summer to discuss and re-evaluate the status of Syria, based on the actual facts prevailing in the country at the moment and following the assessment made by the European Asylum Agency, according to which areas of Syria are considered safe. A new assessment by the Agency is expected in April. A possible conclusion at European level on the designation of specific areas in the country as safe will allow for the promotion of the return of Syrian nationals to them, under strict conditions that will ensure their safety, significantly reducing the exploitation that is currently taking place.
I will raise this issue again and urgently at the forthcoming Home Affairs Council to be held in Brussels on Monday. Already in our bilateral contacts with our counterparts, we see the interest in discussing the issue, and we expect that this will of the countries will be listened to and lead to a political decision at European Union level.
Friends,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the determination of the Christodoulides Government to further improve the positive image it has achieved in recent months. This is a multidimensional and complex undertaking, with fluid data that can change the situation at any moment. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and we need full commitment and coordination both at national and European level.
Pending tomorrow's debate in the plenary session of the Parliament and the possible vote in favour of the establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Immigration, I call on all political forces to recognise the importance for the country of bringing together all immigration and asylum services under one body, with this as its sole responsibility. I am confident that in tomorrow's debate in plenary, this shared realisation will be fleshed out.
Thank you for your attention and I am at your disposal for any questions.
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For the presentation file, click here.
(MCI)
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