It is with great pleasure that I am here today, at the Ministry of Justice and Police of the Swiss Confederation, with the Minister, to co-sign the Agreement on the implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution between the Republic of Cyprus and the Swiss Federal Council, which includes significant financial support in various areas such as migration and social cohesion, with particular reference to health programmes for people with rare genetic disorders, programmes to combat domestic violence and the particularly sensitive issue for Cyprus, the investigation of the fate of our missing persons as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Especially with regard to Switzerland's contribution in the field of migration, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Swiss Government for this important act of true solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus and the contribution of 10 million Swiss francs, which will be used in our efforts to effectively manage the increased migration flows that Cyprus is facing.
This financial support comes at a time when the number of asylum seekers in Cyprus has exceeded 16.5 thousand for 2022 and the overall percentage of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection has reached 6% of the total population. The disproportionate migratory flows have led to a situation of force majeure, pushing the national asylum and reception systems to their limits.
The Swiss contribution will be used on two extremely important pillars to which we have given priority.
The first pillar is the implementation of efficient and quality asylum procedures, under which new infrastructure for asylum and migration services will be created in order to improve existing facilities and, as a result, there will be greater capacity to manage asylum issues. The new infrastructure will allow for adequate accommodation for the additional staff recruited by the Service to be able to operate more efficiently and manage increased migration flows in a more effective manner.
The second pillar is the greater, decisive strengthening of the returns of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, respecting the principle of voluntary, dignified and safe return of third country nationals to their country of origin. Cyprus has succeeded in increasing returns in recent years and in 2022 we have succeeded in multiplying the number, exceeding 6,000 returns so far. A number that places Cyprus, per capita, in first place among EU Member States in terms of returns. I am convinced that with this support we will achieve even more in this area.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, solidarity goes beyond words and is put into practice.
Therefore, I feel the need and obligation to express our thanks and gratitude to Switzerland and in particular to Minister Karin Keller - for her personal commitment and willingness to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus.
Your action, dear Karin, is all the more important as it comes at a time when Europe is reeling from the crisis in Ukraine which has led, among other things, to serious economic shocks. I sincerely thank you and I am sure that this day will be a trigger for further strengthening of our bilateral relations.
(EFYs/NG)
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