The problem is intensifying with the migratory flows that arrive in our country with dozens of immigrants trying to enter the Republic by land and by sea to apply for political asylum.
Already in the past three days, 223 people arrived in Cyprus, 153 today, according to statements by Interior Minister Nikos Nouris. Today alone, about a hundred people of African descent crossed the line and gathered outside the Aliens and Immigration Service seeking political asylum.
Increased flows in free Famagusta
At this time, the radar of the Port Police detected the location of a suspicious boat that is believed to be a boat with immigrants, 20 nautical miles off Cape Greco. At the same time, today around 10 in the morning, according to information from Famagusta.News, thirteen people of African descent who admitted that they had entered from the occupied territories, gathered at the Foreigners and Immigration Service at the Famagusta Police Department seeking Political Asylum.
Also, previously, according to the Turkish Cypriot media, a boat with thirteen Syrian immigrants arrived in Rizokarpaso.
Extraordinary meeting at the Presidential Palace on immigration
Today, an inter-ministerial committee on immigration met in the Presidential Palace with the aim of taking measures to prevent new migration flows. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Interior, Nikos Christodoulidis, Savvas Angelidis and Nikos Nouris and the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic, Kyriakos Kouros.
In his statements, after the end of the session, the Minister of Interior, Nikos Nouris, stated that concrete measures are being implemented in order to manage the flows in Cyprus and to speed up the asylum applications.
President Anastasiadis also spoke about the effort of demographic change of the place, who noted that “with what is recorded at the Greek border, with what we have faced so far, that is with the flows of immigrants from Turkey, being the first country in number of political asylum seekers in relation to the population as you understand and of course we are concerned ".
We must realize that the flow of migrants will continue, especially in view of Turkey's decisions, and Cyprus, unfortunately, will be one of Turkey's goals and we will have to expect large waves of refugees. and we should be as ready as possible to deal with this flow, said the Government Spokesman in his statements
Concluding, the Minister of Interior stated that in the past three days, 223 people arrived in Cyprus, 153 today. "A small boat has now been located in Free Famagusta and is being monitored by the services," he concluded.
Prior to the meeting, the President of the Republic did not hide his concern, saying that the democratic character of Cyprus would be allowed to change.
Famagusta.News