Filenews 29 September 2021 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
With the support of the Port Police in order to limit sea arrivals, while at the same time strengthening the deterrence measures on the green line with the installation of a fence and surveillance through patrols, as well as the mobilization of technological surveillance means (drones), the Government is attempting to prevent irregular crossings from the green line.
At the same time, yesterday's contacts between the Minister of Interior, Nikos Nouris, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who is visiting Cyprus, ensured the descent of an EU team to provide support on the issues of returning migrants whose asylum applications are rejected. The European Commissioner saw up close the consequences of the increased migratory flows that our country is receiving, after visiting yesterday morning the Refugee Accommodation Center in Pournara and saw the situation that prevails and had private contacts with refugees. In her statements, she expressed hope in a common ground with Turkey, "so that we can both prevent irregular arrivals from Turkey, especially to Cyprus and Italy".
The Ministry of Interior referred once again to the disproportionate pressures that Cyprus is under from migratory flows and asked for additional support and assistance from the European Commission. "The existence of the green line, which is not our natural border but the ceasefire line, the exploitation by Turkey of our inability to exercise effective control to date due to the long length of the dividing line, is the most serious problem we have to face. Turkey systematically and on a daily basis promotes irregular migrants coming from its southern coast through the occupied irregular migrants. The lack of cooperation by the occupation authorities, which not only do not prevent irregular migration in our country but on the contrary encourage it, is another serious problem that we are trying to manage", remarked Mr. Nouris.
In order to demonstrate Turkey's provocativeness and the magnitude of the problem that we as a country are called upon to face, the Minister referred to the recent incident, with the involvement of the Turkish Navy, which exercised armed force against a small vessel of our Port Police in the area of Tylliria, when it tried to prevent entry into the areas controlled by the Republic, irregular migrants coming from Turkey. Mr. Nouris announced a visit of Mrs. Johansson to Turkey where he will also raise the problem of Cyprus and referred to the changes in the procedures for examining asylum applications in Cyprus that brought enormous progress to the issue.
He spoke about the huge problem faced by both our country and the other Mediterranean countries on the front line for the readmission of irregular migrants, informing the Commissioner about the decisions taken at the last MED 5 meeting in Spain between Greece, Italy, Spain and Malta. At the suggestion of Mr Nouris, three decisions have been taken which will be formally put before the next Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg next week.
"The five ministers decided," Mr. Nouris said, "and we ask the Commission to block specific measures to protect the European borders and the green line, is something that is included in the ministerial statement for the first time, which is not and is not a border. However, it is the place from which a dangerous illegality takes place and the government of the Republic of Cyprus will not allow this phenomenon to continue, regardless of the methodology that some people choose.
The MED5 meeting also decided to call for the immediate conclusion of return agreements, centrally by the EU itself, with all third countries considered safe, in order to effectively promote the returns of all those whose applications are deemed to be manifestly unfounded."
Looking for common ground
In her statement, the European Commissioner, after referring to the differences between the case of Belarus and Cyprus, said that in two weeks she will visit Turkey and will have contacts at a high level. "We faced many challenges in our relationship with Turkey and we are in a situation where these relations are increasing, they are better, so we are now able to resume this high-level dialogue on migration. That's why I'm going there in two weeks' time. So, let's hope that we can find a common ground so that we can both prevent irregular arrivals from Turkey, especially to Cyprus and Italy," he pointed out.
When asked why the Frontex force is not being activated to prevent migratory flows in Cyprus, the Commissioner said that Frontex is present in Cyprus and is doing a pretty good job, but there are restrictions because they can only protect the external borders and it is not possible to use them on the Green Line in Cyprus. He also said that the Commission and the services have really strengthened support in Cyprus, but what is needed is also the support and solidarity of other Member States when it comes to relocations, which is why the new pact on immigration and asylum is necessary.
He added that due to its geographical position, Cyprus is under particular challenges and cooperation and solidarity are important. According to her, the Commission's approach is to prevent irregular arrivals but also to promote returns and readmission. He said that countries such as Cyprus really need solidarity also in the form of relocation and for this reason an appropriate legal framework is necessary in this direction. He also noted that it is also important to have proper control of people who could pose a security risk and to have an appropriate system in place to prevent and protect the fundamental right to seek asylum and protect vulnerable people.
It is noted that the European Commissioner had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the Minister of Justice, Stefi Drakou, without making any statements.
