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The Immigration and Asylum portfolio was handed over today, 19 June 2024, by the Minister of Interior Mr. During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Interior congratulated Dr. Ioannidis on his appointment as the first Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection.
During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Interior congratulated Dr. Ioannidis on his appointment as the first Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection. "The establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Migration was an essential electoral commitment of President Christodoulides. The operation of the Deputy Ministry lays the foundations for a more effective response to the migration issue. The consolidation of the services of all departments dealing with migration will have substantial and practical benefits, both in terms of planning, supervision, coordination and generally better operation."
He went on to say that when he took over the migration portfolio 15 months ago, Cyprus was under disproportionate migratory pressure due to the massive arrivals of migrants. "To give you an example, from 2021 to 2022, migrant arrivals had doubled and Cyprus was receiving around 1,800 migrants a month. As a consequence, the reception and accommodation facilities had exceeded their limits. For example, the "Pournara" First Reception Centre hosted more than 3,000 people," the Interior Minister said.
Referring to the policy pursued by the Christodoulides Government, he stressed that a holistic approach was adopted, which aimed to make Cyprus an unattractive destination. Speaking about the pillars of this strategy, Ioannou explained that "over the last 15 months we have focused on specific pillars aimed at reducing arrivals, increasing returns, improving infrastructure and speeding up asylum examinations. In the last 15 months we have succeeded in reducing arrivals by around 50%, half of what we had in the previous period. Equally important, we have managed to increase returns by 66%. And for the first time in the history of migration in Cyprus, more people are leaving than coming. I am particularly pleased because for these actions, especially in terms of returns, we have also received praise from European Union officials. Commissioner Johansson, in her statements, described Cyprus as an example to follow, as well as the Vice President of the European Commission, who described Cyprus as a champion in returns."
Then, referring to the third pillar of the policy, that of upgrading the infrastructure, the Minister referred to the completion of the upgrading of the "Pournara" CIP, which was co-financed by the European Union. Now, he said, the Centre is a closed structure and the benefit of this can be seen in the reduction of opposition in the communities adjacent to the Centre. In addition, Ioannou noted, the upgrading of the Reception and Accommodation Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Kofinou has progressed. "Equally important, we have proceeded with the start of work on the construction of the Pre-Removal Centre, which will substantially help to increase returns," the Interior Minister said.
In addition, Ioannou referred to the action plan drawn up for the integration of migrants, which includes 50 actions in five pillars, namely health, housing, education, employment and skills development.
Finally, handing over the Immigration and Asylum portfolio to the First Minister of State for Immigration and International Protection, the Minister of Interior thanked his colleagues in the Ministry of Interior, the Immigration Department, the Asylum Service and the Immigration and Migration Service of the Police for their excellent cooperation and target-orientation throughout this period. He expressed confidence that the same excellent cooperation will continue with the Deputy Ministry.
Addressing Dr. Ioannidis, Mr. Ioannou conveyed his conviction that the improved picture that exists at the moment will be further enhanced with the operation of the Deputy Ministry and under his political guidance, while he wished the Deputy Minister good luck, telling him that "your successes will be successes for Cyprus in terms of migration management".
Taking over the portfolio of migration and asylum, as the first Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection, Dr Ioannides expressed his thanks to the Minister of Interior for the important work he has done during the time he has been called upon to manage the migration issue. "I am sure that the society has realized it, has taken it in and has understood how much improvement has been made in the last few months, so the legacy you are leaving is very crucial and useful for the country, but also for the Deputy Ministry of Migration," he said.
"We are not starting from scratch. We are starting from a very good starting point that you and your colleagues have created and I would like to assure you and everyone that both I and my colleagues at the Deputy Ministry of Immigration will work hard, in order to maintain this good image and in the course of time to further enhance the good image that Cyprus has internationally, but also to consolidate the feeling among Cypriot citizens that the Government is safeguarding and defending the interests of the Republic of Cyprus. In relation to this issue, always, of course, within the framework of international and European legality, with a focus on people, with sensitivity, balancing the well-meaning interests of the country", said the Deputy Minister. Your own deeds have spoken. Now it is our turn to work hard so that we can continue the excellent work that has been done in recent months," the Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection concluded.
(MCI)
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