Filenews 6 January 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
France's mediation to French-speaking countries in Africa for the return of migrants has been requested by Cyprus, while it is still awaiting a response from the Commission to the request for a temporary suspension of the acceptance of asylum applications.
On Wednesday, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris sent a letter to his French counterpart, whose country has assumed the presidency of the European Union, in which he essentially calls for France to open corridors of communication with French-speaking countries in sub-Saharan Africa on issues of refoulement of its nationals who are currently illegally in Cyprus. Already the two ministers have exchanged several letters in recent times on the subject and there seems to be understanding of the problem facing our country.
At the same time, in the letter, the Ministry of Interior also reinstates Nicosia's request for the suspension of the acceptance of asylum applications due to the deterioration of the situation with the continuous migratory flows, while it also raises the issue of financial support for the migration issue, since Cyprus receives the largest flows in the EU in proportion to the population.
The problem with migrants from sub-Saharan countries has emerged in the last year, where people mainly from Congo arrive in Cyprus from Turkey through occupied territories and then cross into the free areas. Congo is the first country of origin of migrants, followed by other countries in Africa, with Syria being first in 2020 today being fourth.
Meanwhile, 450 people from Pakistan are waiting for repatriation with their consent, but the procedures are stuck because a response from Pakistani authorities is expected. Also, according to information from the "F", efforts are being made in consultation with the EU agency Frontex, to repatriate Indians, persons from Nepal and Bangladesh, whose residence permit has either expired or whose application for political asylum has been rejected.
It is noted that last year 10,200 applications for political asylum were submitted, while at the moment more than 20,000 applications are pending. For the first time, 12,500 applications were examined in the year that just passed, while previously 1-2,000 were examined, due to the acceleration of procedures by the Asylum Service. As "F" wrote yesterday, the Ministry of Interior will call for the creation of an International Protection Tribunal near the migrants' places of residence, so that the applications of those who are manifestly unfounded can be examined on the spot.
