Filenews 10 November 2021 - by Frixos Dalitis
A matter of national security is characterized the problem of mass migratory flows to the free areas of the Republic by the Government, which now declares difficulty in managing as a state the large numbers of immigrants who arrive daily. The reception area of "Pournaras" is sinking day by day more than overcrowding, with the migrants themselves being exposed daily to dangers and the chances of falling victim to trafficking and exploitation by traffickers.
Images of people stacked in containers that we saw abroad are very likely to be seen in Cyprus, as well as images of half-sunk boats from human souls off the sea. At the same time, these same people who arrive with the agony painted on their faces, are being tooled up by the Turkish government in the context of a new hybrid war against the authorities of Sunday's Republic.
Under the pressure of events, the Government is determined to proceed with the adoption of even more drastic measures, which, in addition to preventing and suppressing the phenomenon at the level of traffickers, aim at the implementation of an integrated policy of provision towards immigrants.
Under these circumstances, an expanded Ministerial meeting is taking place this morning at the Presidential Palace in the presence of the security forces and the intelligence services of the Republic, which will examine the data. The meeting is attended by the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs, transport, labour, justice and defence, as well as the Deputy Minister of Welfare and the Deputy Minister of Innovation. Also present will be the Chief of Police, the Chief of the National Guard and the Commander of the BPH. Due to the seriousness of the situation, various officials have been forbidden to take with them to the meeting officials of his ministries or their associates.
During the meeting, which has been classified as "Secret" as it concerns a National Security issue, a multi-page document will be put in place, which has been prepared by the Minister of Interior Nikos Nouris and concerns a detailed report on how the data currently stand in Cyprus. In other words, figures and statistical data will be presented which outline the seriousness of the situation as reflected in the figures, as well as the way in which the traffickers act, the "black holes" of the points through which they pass illegally to the free areas from the line of confrontation, as well as the measures that should be taken to deal with the situation.
According to our information, the government's policy to deal with the situation will move in four axes. Specifically:
► Taking drastic measures under the heading on administration and supervision. That is, the management of the whole issue concerning the irregular arrival of immigrants in Cyprus.
► Taking measures and taking actions aimed at preventing entry into the control areas of the Republic of Cyprus and monitoring all points used as entry gates.
► Actions for return to their countries of origin, when and if courts judge that they do not meet the criteria for residence and granting asylum. In this context, steps will be taken to attach and strengthen interstate agreements.
► Implementation of an integrated welfare policy for immigrants and asylum seekers both in terms of subsidy policy and job supply, etc.
The debate will also refer to the issues to be requested for EU assistance.
It should be noted that according to the latest statistics, in 2021 since the beginning of the year, 10,800 arrivals of informal migrants were recorded, of which 2063 were only in October. Finally, as far as the reception centre "Pournara" is concerned, the capacity of which is 1,000 people, the number of guests reaches 2,400 people.
A competent government source told "F" that the situation is now out of control regarding the daily arrivals of informal migrants to the Republic from various points and said that the Government intends to take even more drastic measures. "The Government will not succumb to any pressure exerted by the opposition and more specifically by AKEL. It is now a matter of national survival on the one hand and on the other, we want to put all those measures in place to protect these people from the exploitation of any cunning who profit at the expense of human souls", he said.
The same source noted that the government's goal through these policies is to send the message that it will not allow the instrumentalization of people to serve either the political interests of another country, or to gain economic benefit from any soul dealers.
