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I would like to welcome you to
Cyprus and to the proceedings of the second meeting of the European
Commission's High-Level Network on Returns.
First of all, allow me to
congratulate the European Commission on this initiative, and in particular
the Commissioner, Mrs Ylva Johansson, responsible for setting up this
important Network, and to warmly congratulate you, Mari on your appointment
as the first coordinator.
I believe that the Network will
greatly contribute to coordinating the effort, between the Member States and
the relevant EU agencies, for effective, sustainable, and safe returns of
third-country nationals to their countries of origin, which is a priority for
the entire Union.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The challenges in migration are
before us. Unfortunately, in Cyprus, we struggle daily with these numbers,
and the management of the ever-increasing arrivals of irregular migrants is
extremely difficult.
From January to October 2022,
asylum applications have risen to 18,345. Altogether, asylum seekers and
beneficiaries of protection status have reached more than 6% of the
population of the Republic of Cyprus.
Unfortunately, the
particularity of Cyprus, having 37% of our territory occupied by Turkey, and
the existence of the green line which is not our external border, makes us a
particular case among the Member States. The green line, which you will have
the opportunity to visit tomorrow, you will find that, despite the efforts
and measures that have been taken, continues to be our Achilles' heel, but
also the tool used for the instrumentalization of migrants from Turkey, with
their daily channeling from the occupied to the areas controlled by the
Republic. This is clearly established, as 95% of irregular migrants cross the
green line constantly and illegally.
These figures confirm our
position on the instrumentalization of migration by Turkey, but also our
insistence on the need to stem the migrant flows with deterrent means on the
ground.
Our second priority in this
effort to relieve the country from the excessively increased flows focuses on
a continuous effort to increase returns by own means, but at the same time on
the conclusion of agreements with both Member States and third countries, with
emphasis on the voluntary return program with financial incentives.
The rates of returns compared
to arrivals, are unfortunately disproportionate.
Nevertheless, with a number of
third countries, we seem to have succeeded in overcoming bureaucratic
procedures and we have managed to return a significant number of immigrants.
In 2022, we created the Returns
Office, an innovative initiative of the Ministry of Interior, which
coordinates the competent services of the state, such as the Civil Registry
and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens and
Immigration Service of the Police and the Asylum Service, as well as the
European agencies Frontex and Europol. It is the point of contact on return
issues both with the EU itself, but also with third countries.
As a result of this coordinated
action, Cyprus is currently in first place in return numbers among the Member
States, in proportion of population. During 2022 we have returned almost 7000
persons, accounting 40% compared to arrivals, as opposed to 17% of last
year. A rate which clearly satisfies us. We have also succeeded
in sharply increasing, assisted voluntary returns, compared to forced
returns, with their rate for this year reaching 87%. And I am certain, that
Cyprus' participation in the European Commission's Returns Network will
further contribute to strengthening our efforts.
These returns have been
achieved thanks to our enormous efforts to conclude agreements and Memoranda
for the first time with countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and
Vietnam, while an agreement with Congo is in its final stages. In this
effort, Frontex and the European Commission have been our great supporters
and partners, whom I would like to warmly thank.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am certain that the Network
on Returns, which is yet another initiative as well as proof of the European
Commission's willingness to support and assist Member States in this area,
will make a decisive contribution to ensuring that the return process is not
a negligible proportion compared to arrivals, but an important parameter in
discouraging irregular arrivals both for migrants and smugglers.
As Commissioner Ylva Johansson
said at the Network's first meeting, "Our
failure to get a grip on returns undermines the legitimacy of our asylum
system". And I fully agree on that.
It is for this reason that we
insist on our position on the need to manage returns and readmissions in a
centralized manner, under the operational coordination of the Commission
itself. It is our conviction that this Network is the first important step in
this direction.
With this, allow me to conclude
my intervention. I welcome you all to this venue, here in Cyprus, and I thank
you all for your participation. I wish you a happy stay on our
beautiful island.
I am confident that the
proceedings of this session will help to achieve the common goal of more
efficient return processes.
(ΕFys)
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