Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letympiotis referred today to the joint European operation for the forced return of third-country nationals with the Republic of Cyprus as the organizing country.
In his statements to journalists at the Presidential Palace, in the context of his briefing to the media, the Spokesman said that "on August 26, a joint operation for the forced return of third-country nationals was carried out for the first time with the Republic of Cyprus as the host country, in cooperation with Frontex and with the participation of Greece and Bulgaria.
This development is indicative of the substantial change that has taken place in the last three and a half years in the management of Immigration.
In 2022, 17,438 irregular arrivals and 6,539 departures were recorded. That is, for every 100 irregular arrivals, there were about 37 departures.
From taking over the government until the end of August 2026, 20,508 irregular arrivals and 36,922 departures were recorded. Today, therefore, for every 100 irregular arrivals, there are 180 departures.
The change is also reflected in other critical indicators. In the first half of 2026, irregular arrivals were reduced by 92% compared to the same period in 2022, while pending asylum applications have decreased from around 24,000 to less than 13,000.
From the beginning of 2026 until 26 August alone, 6,027 repatriations took place, while since December 2024 almost 5,500 Syrian asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection have returned home.
The picture is clear: fewer irregular arrivals, more returns and a substantial unloading of the asylum system.
And today Cyprus, which a few years ago was at the forefront of a disproportionate migratory pressure, is now in a position to organise joint European return operations in cooperation with Frontex.
This change is the result of a coherent policy: enhanced surveillance, faster processing of applications, more voluntary and forced returns, bilateral agreements and active migration diplomacy.
Our policy remains stable and balanced: effective control of irregular migration and full respect for our international and European obligations towards those who are truly entitled to protection."
