Filenews 21 September 2025
The Presidency said that pending asylum applications have decreased by 26% and that the Asylum Service is accelerating the pace of examination in 2025, citing data from the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.
According to the data presented, during the period January-August 2025, the Asylum Service issued 8,546 decisions, of which 95%, i.e. 8,123, were negative.
As far as Syrian citizens are concerned, he notes that applications were withdrawn or protection status was revoked in a total of 4,112 cases, of which 3,541 were repatriated.
In addition, it is reported that the departures of third-country nationals during the period January – August 2025 amounted to 9.033. The corresponding number in 2022 was 2,358.
Irregular arrivals within 2025 until August amounted to 1,606 compared to 9,307 in 2022.
It is also reported that the residents of the Pournara Center were 1,890 in 2022 and in the period January-August 2025 they were limited to 266.
The Deputy Ministry notes that Cyprus is first in relocations between frontline countries in the Mediterranean, according to this month's data, with more than 3,000 voluntary relocations, under the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism implemented by Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain.
"All measures are implemented with full respect for International and European Law, ensuring the viability of the asylum and protecting the real beneficiaries," the Deputy Ministry states.
"This progress is the result of coordinated action by all co-competent Ministries and services, with the aim of strengthening the sense of security of citizens and protecting social cohesion," he adds.
