Filenews 4 February 2021
Despite the pandemic crisis, Cyprus received more than 7,000 asylum applications in 2020, with Syrians being the first nationality among the applicants, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said, informing regional director of the Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ola Henrikson via teleconference about migration flows in Cyprus.
The discussion aimed to strengthen cooperation with the IOM to find effective arrangements for voluntary returns and reintegration of third-country nationals into their countries of origin.
The Minister said that Cyprus remains the first country in asylum applications by population among Europe's Member States, noting that the increased arrivals, which are the result of an influx of migrants mainly from the "green line", create a great deal of pressure on Cyprus' asylum and reception system.
Mr. Nouris informed the Regional Director of the IOM of the actions Cyprus is taking to address the situation, such as the recent readmission agreement with Lebanon, and informed him that agreements are also being struck with other states from which Cyprus has increased migrant arrivals.
He also referred to the recent adoption of a series of new legislative measures to speed up the return procedures for people whose application for asylum has been rejected.
The Minister stated that the Cypriot Government is using the programme of assisted voluntary returns and reintegration of third-country nationals, the aim of which is the safe return and reintegration into their countries of origin.
He asked the Director of the IOM Region for further assistance in developing and strengthening the existing programme and referred to the new pilot programme for housing vulnerable migrants under discussion, which, inter alia, aims to prevent demographic deterioration and the gingoisation of specific areas.
The Regional Director for his part expressed the Agency's readiness to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus.
Source: eyenews/CYPE
