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The current situation, the improvement in the results due to the measures implemented, as well as the next steps of the Government regarding the migration issue, were the focus of an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the President of the Republic Mr.Nikos Christodoulides. In his statements to media representatives, the Minister of Interior referred to the encouraging results recorded so far.
As Mr Ioannou said, by 2023, migrant arrivals have been halved as a result of the measures taken. These measures include, among others, Green Line crossings, mediations through Brussels to Turkey and the information campaign we have conducted in countries such as Nigeria, Congo and Cameroon. "There is an increase in maritime flows, but despite the increase in arrivals by sea, so far there is a 50% decrease in total arrivals and an 80% increase in returns which is even more important. Last year returns were about 5,500, this year we have exceeded 11,000 and for the first time in the history of migration, more people have left than have arrived, and the percentage of returns over arrivals is 105%," the Interior Minister said. Ioannou referred to the cooperation with other Ministries and authorities, such as the Ministries of Justice and Labour, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the Cyprus Police, to take various actions, such as intensive controls at workplaces to identify irregular migrants who are employed illegally, in order to exert pressure to leave Cyprus through the voluntary return plan, decisions on traffickers and arrests, etc.
He reiterated that the results so far are encouraging, despite the pressure from Syrian arrivals, who cannot be repatriated or deported due to international conventions and the fact that Syria remains an unsafe country. "A request from the Republic of Cyprus and I have been stressing this since last summer on two occasions at Councils in Brussels and a letter will be formally sent to EU interior ministers as well, that the status in Syria be reviewed. But this cannot be done overnight," the Interior Minister said.
Asked to comment on the approval of the Pact on Immigration and Asylum by the European Parliament, Ioannou described the decision as "a step in the right direction", clarifying that the Republic's plans are not affected by this development. As he explained, Cyprus does not have land borders and therefore cannot apply practices that Greece, Spain and other countries where there are land borders. This, you know, was not accepted and there is now voluntary relocation. This is a step in the right direction, solidarity is now recognised, the fact that member states have to help each other is now recognised, which is what we were asking for," he stressed. Continuing, the Interior Minister said that Cyprus "as the member state with the highest proportion of irregular migrants in terms of population -6% and now we have dropped to 5.3% because of the actions we have taken- was something we were asking for. It did not become compulsory, it became voluntary and in cases of crisis it becomes compulsory. It is not the ideal, but it is a very important step in the right direction and we welcome it."
Asked if the issue that Cyprus had raised with the EU about providing financial support to Lebanon had been taken forward, the minister replied in the affirmative and said that, according to information from the EU and other institutions, it is expected that Lebanon will be supported financially. Referring to meetings he had last week in Geneva with Lebanese officials, Ioannou said he conveyed again the intention to support Lebanon's request. "They have indicated to us that they are helping to monitor the sea lanes. One thing I want to mention is that we are aware of the boats coming into Cyprus. We are not aware of what has been intercepted from the Lebanese side. They are also facing practical difficulties because of the events in Gaza and with the economic situation in the country, their possibilities are limited," the Minister said.
Finally, with regard to the review of the status of Syria, the Interior Minister reiterated that it is not easy to accept, but Cyprus will continue its efforts to promote the proposal. Any development on the issue, he said, would provide an additional tool for states, that of deportations and returns to areas assessed as safe.
(MQI)
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