THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAID THAT 512 HAVE BEEN REPATRIATED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS - WHAT HE SAID ABOUT BRITAIN'S TRAVEL ADVISORY WITH REFERENCE TO A TERRORIST ATTACK - Filenews 5/3
The number of repatriates to Cyprus in the last 24 hours has risen to 512, of which 488 from the UAE was announced on Thursday night by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kombos. He also said that the evacuation of Cypriot citizens from danger zones remains a priority and called on all those affected to update their details on the ConnectCy platform.
He said that today Thursday a flight from the United Arab Emirates landed with 162 people on board and later on Thursday another from the same destination will land with 144, bringing the total number of repatriates to 512 in the last 24 hours.
According to the Minister, further planning includes 2 flights on Friday and possibly if another one is needed the day after that.
"I want to ask for the continued cooperation of those who are in areas from which repatriations take place. It is observed that people remain registered on the platform, who have either already departed or have changed their minds as to whether they wish to depart, which essentially cuts off others from having access to the planes, which return back to Cyprus," he said.
Mr. Kombos noted that it is important that in a very short period of time a clear result is obtained and this includes an important preparatory work that is done at the level of communication with the public.
He added that the calls received are thousands, there are constant changes, such as for example in the morning when the airport from which the departure would take place changed and therefore people had to be informed from the beginning.
The Minister said that the crisis management center operates around the clock and warmly thanked and congratulated all the staff of the Ministry, which is involved in this effort, which brings results, "which a very small number of European countries have so far managed to achieve in a comparable period of time".
He went on to say that the effort will continue until the completion of the return of all our compatriots who are in danger zones, noting that the priority concerns these fellow citizens.
"There are too many others who have stayed in other countries, due to the fact that there has been a cancellation of flights, they are not in dangerous areas, there is contact with them, we are trying to help in all the ways we can, but you understand that repatriation from countries where there is danger must be prioritized," he explained.
UK Travel Advice
Asked about the travel advice issued by London and the reference to the possibility of a terrorist attack in Cyprus and whether this is linked to the alarm that sounded three times at the British Bases since last night, he said that the travel advice is issued in the context of an automated national process by each state.
"It is not increasing the existing level that existed in terms of the British directive, it is simply adding this important element, which one will find in the vast majority of countries in the region affected by this crisis," he explained.
He said that at the same time there is a general direction in the UK's travel advice regarding the risk of terrorist attacks in relation to British citizens, wherever they are or British interests. "Therefore, it primarily concerns the danger to British citizens, a consequence of this status, following the developments of the last few days, and this very addition was made," he explained.
The Foreign Minister said that the incident with the attack on the British Bases has arisen, "so in this context, possibly acting preventively and proactively, they introduced this very parameter".
Statements from Ankara
Asked about statements by the Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yilmaz, and the opposition in Turkey that raise security issues in Cyprus and criticize the actions of the Republic of Cyprus, the Minister said that the presence of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus with 40,000 soldiers alone is a very specific response to any argumentation someone tries to create in the context of his participation in this whole wave of spreading fake news and targeting the Cypriot Democracy.
"It is at least paradoxical and oxymoronic for someone who occupies European territory, otherwise, to blame the one who is in need to try to create the capabilities to defend himself, especially in such a period," he said.
"Therefore, all this is cunning. This is not the first time we have heard them, it is certainly not the last time we will hear them. Especially in the coming period, there is expected to be a strong increase in argumentation of this kind. And it is good for us all to keep in mind, that this is the new reality, some will try to take advantage of situations, ignoring of course their own responsibility and their role in what may be happening around us, but certainly in what has been happening on our island since '74," he said.
Expulsions of foreign nationals
Asked if there was any other sounding for the repatriation of foreign nationals beyond China and Japan, the Foreign Minister said that there were some research requests and "these do not have the importance we consider if they are not formalized".
He said that what has been made official concerned a specific case of German nationals who were evacuated with the assistance of the Republic of Cyprus yesterday, by sea.
He said that it was a small number and we provided the relevant assistance. "Our structures, facilities, mechanisms are in operation and we are at the disposal, as we did in the recent past, of friendly countries that want to make use of them, if and when this is deemed necessary on their part," he said.
Mr. Kombos said that this is a dynamic situation, and the further possible ignition in the area will start an evacuation process. "We have to wait and see, but we have done the relevant preparation and preparation," he noted.
Answering another question on whether the evacuation of foreign citizens through military means in the area will be done through the national plan Estia, he said that the presence of military means in the area concerns protection issues when the issue of evacuations will also arise "and these are not done in such cases from war zones without there being an entire assistance system".
"Our role is when the need arises," he said, noting that "we provide the infrastructure, the facility, so that they can arrive, be accommodated and then depart. The method of arrival is not the competence or responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus, so it is a combination and this is the framework in which we operate," he explained.
CNA
