Despite the crisis of the pandemic, Cyprus received in 2020, more than 7,000 asylum applications, with Syrians being the first nationality among the applicants, said the Minister of Interior Nikos Nouris, informing by video conference the Regional Director of the Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). ) Ola Henrikson, on migration flows in Cyprus.
The discussion aimed to strengthen cooperation with the IOM in finding effective arrangements for voluntary returns and the reintegration of third-country nationals into their countries of origin.
The Minister stated that Cyprus remains the first country in the proportion of asylum seekers among the European Member States, noting that the increased arrivals, which are a result of the influx of migrants mainly from the "green line", put a lot of pressure on the asylum system. and host of Cyprus.
Mr. Nouris informed the Regional Director of IOM about the actions that Cyprus is taking to address the situation, such as the recent readmission agreement with Lebanon and informed him that agreements are being made with other countries from where Cyprus has increased arrivals of migrants. .
He also referred to the recent adoption of a series of new legislative measures to speed up the return procedures of persons whose asylum application has been rejected.
The Minister stated that the Cypriot Government is using the program of assisted voluntary returns and reintegration of third-country nationals, the aim of which is the safe return and reintegration into their countries of origin.
He asked the Director of the IOM Region for further assistance, in order to develop and strengthen the existing program and referred to the new pilot housing program under discussion, which, among other things, aims to prevent demographic change and ghettoization of specific areas.
For his part, the Regional Director expressed the Organization's readiness to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Minister extended an invitation to the Regional Director for his visit to Cyprus.