Filenews 5 August 2022
An extremely important decision, which will contribute to the utmost extent to the management of migration and especially to the implementation of the promising, return program, was characterized by the Minister of Interior as the funding of €72 million for the construction of the first pre-removal centre and the improvement of existing accommodation infrastructure.
He noted that at the same time our additional request for the funding of the Green Line Surveillance Unit is under consideration, with also positive signs.
"As of today, Cyprus is adding another tool to the efforts to implement a holistic and effective migration policy. To end the abuse of the country's asylum system, offering our support and care to those who are really in need," the minister stressed.
Mr. Nouris' statement reads as follows:
In recent years, Cyprus has been facing waves of irregular migrants, entirely coming through Turkey and passing through the Green Line. The numbers speak for themselves. The country's asylum system, as well as the possibilities of reception and hospitality, have far exceeded their limits.
To manage the problem, we implemented the new migration policy as of January 1 2021, focusing our efforts on three pillars:
- The speedy examination of asylum applications
- The halting of illegal crossings through the Green Line and
- The intensification of returns
For all the above, we have made our European partners and the European Commission itself in common and we have sought their help in managing the problem.
It is for this reason that, recognizing the efforts of Cyprus, the European Commission yesterday approved our request for funding of 72 million euros for the construction of the first pre-removal centre and the improvement of existing hospitality infrastructure. This is an extremely important decision that will contribute to the utmost extent to the management of migration and especially to the implementation of the, promising, return program of our country. At the same time, our additional request for the funding of the Green Line Surveillance Unit is under consideration, with also positive signs.
We are very grateful for this support! We would like to express our warm thanks to all those who have contributed to the granting of this funding. To the Vice-President of eur. Margaritis Schinas Committee. To Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. To the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Home Affairs of the Eur. Mrs Monique Pariat and Mrs Beate Gminter and, of course, in the European Commission delegation here, whose contribution has been a catalyst.
As of today, Cyprus is adding another tool to the efforts to implement a holistic and effective migration policy. To end the abuse of the country's asylum system by offering our support and care to those who are really in need.
