Filenews 22 November 2022 - by Vassos Vassiliou
The Government has to take bulldozers and demolish perhaps thousands of buildings if we take into account that they have unspeakable illegalities, to the point that title deeds cannot be issued.
Analyzing his ministry's budget, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said that of the 45,000 title deeds pending in 2015, 30,000 were issued and 15,000 outstanding titles remained, adding: "But there are a large number of buildings that cannot secure title deeds and perhaps the only remedy would be demolitions."
Referring to the incentives granted by the government for housing purposes and for the purpose of supporting the inhabitants, he named three lowland communities, namely the communities of Mammari, Denia and Troulloi. "With the implementation of the new plans there are three villages that are the only ones that are 100% within the buffer zone and these villages will be included in the plans covering the mountainous areas to receive additional benefits," Mr. Nouris said.
Responding to a question from MPs about the retention of land by the state, Mr. Nouris acknowledged that: "There are indeed problems with the retention of land of citizens, especially in the issues of expropriation and the creation of roads. Many times in the past, the land of the world was kept on the grounds that some planning would be implemented. In the last year, we have relieved many citizens of expropriations that were unnecessary." He also acknowledged that there are distortions in the rental of state land, in the sense that market rent is not always imposed.
Regarding the individual dwelling, he said that the issue needs to be addressed, because of the unregulated development it caused. To address the issue of housing, especially for young couples in the countryside (which was used to allow the construction of an individual residence), Mr. Nouris said that the government, listening to the many peculiarities of the outermost mountainous areas alone, especially this year allowed a deviation from urban planning, when the application for housing concerns a short distance from residential areas. In these cases, it will be possible to provide a financial incentive to a couple to build. He also said that even the philosophy of altitude has changed and instead of calculating the altitude of the core of the mountain communities, the highest point is taken into account, so as not to exclude from the incentives those who are on the perimeter instead of in the centre.
Migration – refugee flows
In response to a question about the cost of installing the barbed wire along the Green Line, he said that €2 million was spent, equivalent to the amount required to feed and keep 1,800 migrants in "Pournara".
Regarding the return of foreigners to their countries (on the basis of voluntary planning) he said that by decision of the French government 153 people will be transferred from Cyprus to France and in the same context Germany will accept another 150 people and this on a trial basis. Interviews are underway and it is understood that the two countries will choose who to host in their countries, obviously with criteria that will serve the two countries.
The minister also said that the five EU member states that are at the forefront of the entry of foreigners into the Union, within this year will welcome about 160,000 foreigners and if 10,000 are still absorbed by the rest of the countries, there will be another 150,000 left. "We explained that the number allocated to Cyprus is disproportionate," Mr. Nouris observed.
"We informed the EU that in 2022 we estimate that the five states in the front line of entry of migrants will welcome more than 160,000 new applicants and if the remaining countries absorb the 10,000, then there are another 150,000 left that will be an additional burden for the five states." He also said that this year voluntary returns are around 7,000, which does not solve the problem of over-concentration of foreigners in a small country like Cyprus.
Regarding the new asylum applications, Mr. Nouris said that in 2019 these have increased by 506% compared to 2015. 2020 showed a decrease which, he said, reflects the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In October 2022, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, there was an increase of 81,96%. This year alone, between January and October, 18,345 applications were submitted. In terms of EU assistance, it amounted to €67.5 million. for the purpose of building a New Accommodation Centre and a Pre-removal Centre.
It is worth noting that some countries "paid off" by granting Cyprus crumbs to avoid hosting foreigners. In addition to Switzerland, which donated €10 million to the project. for managing migration flows, Czechia allocated €1 million. to support the Return Office of the Ministry of Interior, while Hungary has made available €1 million to support the ministry's return programme.
Asked about the Ukrainian refugees, Mr. Nouris said that after Russia's invasion of their country, 64,967 arrived in Cyprus. Of these, 50,732 departed and 14,436 remained. The EU will make €7 million available to Cyprus. for hospitality and in general for the expenses of Ukrainians. Specifically on this issue, he mentioned that Cyprus showed its hospitality in the matter of handling refugees.
The main objectives of the government
Presenting the 2023 budget, which exceeds €663 million, the Minister of Interior stated that the main reforms and policies are: Promotion of integrated, balanced and sustainable development, strengthening of cooperation and support of Local Government Organizations, with the aim of improving the services provided to the citizen, achieving an integrated and targeted housing policy, shaping and implementing an integrated and balanced Migration Policy and effective management of migration flows. At the same time, it promotes the strengthening of civil protection and the formulation and implementation of emergency action plans, the promotion of effective, efficient and open public governance, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the upgrading of the services provided to citizens and businesses. In addition, it includes support and supervision of Legal Entities of Public Law and supervision of NGOs, rural support, e-Government, National Security Plan of Organized Beaches "Salamis", Control of Associations and Foundations, Strengthening of Civil Protection and Promotion of Nicosia Center.
Regarding urban planning policy, the Minister mentioned that in the context of the New Urban Planning and Building Permit Policy for rapid examination of applications of up to 2 housing units on a plot / plot under construction, the situation is as follows: From 1/10/20 to 30/09/22, 4,341 applications were submitted
Moreover, he mentioned that from 15/9/2022 the scope of the Rapid Licensing Policy was extended to developments up to 12 residences, apartment buildings (up to 20 apartments) and for commercial / office development of up to 1,000 sq. m. on a plot. Applications will be submitted in electronic form and the licence will be issued within 30 days.
INTERVENTION
A lot has been done, but there is a way to go
There is no citizen who will not need the services of the Ministry of Interior. You are born, you die, you buy real estate, you sell, you want to travel, to build your house? Wherever you go, you will go through a department of the ministry. Anyone who claims that nothing has changed and everything is running at the old pace is being unfair. Anyone who claims that everything has been solved and that everything works like a Swiss clock is again out of touch with reality. Steps have been taken and are being taken, but effort is still needed.
The hot potato of refugees/ migrants also came to the ministry and unfortunately, the partners of Cyprus left it alone and threw a few crumbs at it in order to avoid themselves phenomena of racism and unrest within their borders. Unfortunately, Cyprus pays for their own sins, so it must hold them accountable.
