Filenews 15 October 2021
In the last ten days alone, 800 migrants have crossed the green line illegally, "that's why we are obliged to take a drastic day," Interior Minister Nikos Nouris told the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Conference on Thursday night, adding that the field of returns is vital.
At the same time, he stressed that at least 15,000 third-country nationals remain in Cyprus today, who can be returned, since their applications are considered to be manifestly unfounded.
According to an announcement transmitted by the PIO, the Minister of Interior has been participating since yesterday in the Conference of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which is being organised on the occasion of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of EASO's Founding Regulation.
In a statement last night, following the conclusion of a discussion on the subject related to the Common European Asylum System and EASO's role over the past 10 years in the changing geopolitical context, Mr Nouris said that his presence at the EASO conference "demonstrates precisely our willingness and will to reach a single European agreement on asylum".
He also noted that "at the same time I had the opportunity to explain the problem that Cyprus faces and for which we cannot stand idly by".
"While the discussions on the asylum agreement last, we are obliged to take important and drastic measures on the green line as well, since in the last ten days alone, 800 migrants have passed illegally, which proves the problem of our country", stressed Mr. Nouris.
He also informed that he has explained to his counterparts that Cyprus is seeking assistance in terms of returns, since, as he said, the field of returns is vital.
He explained that "in my own country there are currently at least 15,000 third-country nationals who can be returned, since their applications are judged to be manifestly unfounded".
He said that Cyprus may not have land borders, like other European countries, but "we want to implement the same security measures that are applied in most European countries and for Cyprus".
The Minister, in his speech as a speaker on the panel, praised EASO's role over the past 10 years in the changing geopolitical environment, especially after the 2015 crisis and the arrival of around 1.3 million asylum seekers in Europe.
He also thanked EASO for its support to Cyprus, which has been active in our country since 2014.
In his speech, Mr. Nouris referred to the current situation in Cyprus regarding migratory flows, the measures taken to address illegal immigration and the peculiarities of the green line.
He also referred to the five frontline Mediterranean countries, MED5, stressing their willingness to reach agreement on a new Pact on Immigration and Asylum provided that this is balanced and based on the principles of solidarity and fair redistribution.
He noted that it is of primary importance for Cyprus and the Mediterranean frontline Member States, in parallel with the negotiations on the Pact, to simultaneously promote the three specific measures we proposed to alleviate the problem.
"The effective management of the European borders and the green line which is not our external border, the conclusion of central return agreements with third countries by the European Commission itself and the activation of mechanisms to accelerate returns," he added.
Especially with regard to the green line, he stressed that although it is not our external border, the control will be intensified, since it is proven to be the route for the irregular entry of migrants.
Today the Minister of the Interior, and following on from the recent Home Affairs Council, will hold meetings with his counterparts, as well as with representatives of the European Agencies, to discuss ways of implementing the positions supported by the majority of Member States in Luxembourg, with particular reference to control and security issues.
CNA
