The Government's strategy for managing the migration issue was presented today at a joint press conference held by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, and the Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection, Dr. Nicholas A. Ioannides. Messrs. Ioannou and Ioannides analyzed the measures taken by the Government and gradually led to the reversal of the negative image that Cyprus had in the migration issue. The Minister of the Interior and the Deputy Minister of Immigration conveyed, however, that there is no room for complacency, given that migration is a complex issue with an international, mainly, dimension and is influenced by external conditions.
The pressures that the Republic of Cyprus was facing were disproportionate – New approach with holistic intervention
Speaking in his initial statement, the Minister of Interior referred to the suffocating pressures that Cyprus, like other EU states in the Eastern Mediterranean, was facing due to the disproportionately massive flows of irregular migrants. Indicatively, the Minister noted the record number of asylum applications (21.565) recorded in 2022, as well as the large number of people who arrived in 2022 (17.280), saying that 95% of them arrived via the Green Line from Sub-Saharan African countries. At the same time, the number of residents in the “Pournara” Center was three times its capacity at the time.
These data, said Mr. Ioannou, "implemented the Government's holistic intervention and, from the outset, a new strategy was adopted that was based on four central pillars and dozens of individual actions that approached the issue at all its levels. The measures taken focused on reducing arrivals, accelerating the application examination procedures, improving infrastructure and increasing the number of returns."
Series of measures and improvement of the situation – For the first time in the history of immigration in Cyprus, more people are leaving than are arriving
Listing the measures implemented, the Minister of Interior pointed out the overtures made to Turkey through diplomatic channels in cooperation with the European Commission, to improve the degree of control of those arriving in Cyprus through Istanbul Airport, as well as the information campaign carried out in Sub-Saharan African countries on the realities prevailing on the island in relation to irregular migrants.
Additionally, the Minister referred to the intensification of checks in workplaces and in the community to identify illegal immigrants, as well as the immediate suspension of benefits for persons whose application is definitively rejected.
At the same time, aiming to reduce the time for examining asylum applications, the Asylum Service was reinforced with additional staff, resulting, on the one hand, in the shortening of the time for examining applications from 12-24 months to a period of one to three months and, on the other hand, in the processing of a significant number of applications that were pending.
Speaking about the returns sector, the Minister referred to the revision of the voluntary returns program and the inclusion of a financial incentive ranging from €1.000 to €1.500. The result of the Government's actions, he continued, was the multiplication of the number of people who left our country in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022. "For the first time in the history of immigration in Cyprus, more people are leaving than coming. I am particularly pleased because for these actions of ours, especially with regard to returns, we have also received praise from European Union officials. Commissioner Johansson referred to Cyprus in her statements as an example to follow, as did the Vice-President of the European Commission, who described Cyprus as a champion in returns," stressed Mr. John.
Overturning the negative image – No room for complacency
All the measures taken resulted in reversing the negative image of migration, explained the Minister of the Interior. "We achieved our initial goal, reducing the number of asylum seekers by 69% between 2022 and 2024. Specifically, the reduction in African applicants exceeded 85% compared to 2022, while the increased arrivals by sea of Syrian nationals, which were recorded especially after the geopolitical developments in our neighborhood, were effectively addressed with the decision to suspend the examination of applications and, from May onwards, arrivals via sea routes are zero," the Minister stated characteristically. In this context, as Mr. noted Ioannou, "the lower arrivals contributed to better management of the reception system and helped reduce the time to complete the examination of asylum applications to three months or even one for specific categories of applicants."
Finally, the Minister of the Interior reiterated the Government's commitment to the goal of keeping the situation under control, emphasizing that "there is no room for complacency or celebration in the immigration issue, given the fluid situation prevailing in our region."
A total of 18.055 third-country nationals have left since the beginning of the Christodoulides government
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection described the immigration policy of the Christodoulides Government as holistic, decisive and responsible, which aims to significantly enhance the sense of security of legally residing citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
Citing official data, Dr. Ioannidis stated that 2024 third-country nationals were repatriated through the voluntary return program in 8.213, compared to 4.636 people who benefited from the program in 2022. “Since the beginning of our government until December 31, 2024, a total of 18.055 third-country nationals have departed from the Republic of Cyprus,” he said, including 977 nationals who have departed through the EURP (European Reintegration Programme) of FRONTEX, as well as 2.348 nationals who have departed at their own expense. Regarding the number of relocations, according to the Asylum Service, 2.517 people have been relocated to other EU Member States.
According to Dr. Ioannidis, in 2024, departures (deportations, voluntary returns and relocations) totaled 10.941 people. “Combined with the significant reduction in irregular arrivals and the limitation in the numbers of new asylum applications, due to the measures taken by the Government, the Republic of Cyprus ranks first among EU Member States in the ratio of departures to arrivals, with 179%,” the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection underlined in his statement.
Over 1.350 Syrian nationals expressed their intention and desire to repatriate – 755 have already departed from Cyprus
Subsequently, in his reference to developments in Syria, after the fall of the Assad regime, Dr. Ioannides pointed out the great interest from Syrian nationals who wish to withdraw their application for international protection or revoke the refugee and/or subsidiary protection status they hold.
According to Dr. Ioannidis, "since December 9, 2024, we have had an average of 40 requests per day from Syrians to withdraw their application or revoke their status. Specifically, from December 9, 2024 to January 31, 2025, 1.367 Syrian nationals have expressed their intention and desire to repatriate. As a result, 944 withdrew their applications for international protection, 11 renounced their refugee status and 412 revoked the subsidiary protection status that had been granted to them. Of these, 755 have already departed from Cyprus."
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister expressed the assessment that, with the passage of time and the assurance of greater stability in Syria, the number of people who will attempt to repatriate will increase. Hence, from the very beginning, special teams were established at the Deputy Ministry of Migration with the aim of facilitating Syrians who wish to repatriate, within the framework of the voluntary return program. He clarified that “forced return to Syria is not possible until there is stability and the conditions prevailing in the country are clarified, so that a relevant decision can be taken at EU level”.
Drastic reduction by 90% in the number of residents at the "Pournara" Nursing Home - Upgrading of reception and hospitality infrastructure
"The effectiveness of the measures we have taken as a Government since taking office is also evident in the significant reduction in the number of new admissions to the "Pournara" Center in 2024 compared to 2022. Specifically, the number of residents in the Center decreased drastically by 90%, from 3.145 people (highest number of residents in 2022) to just 274 (lowest number of residents in 2024). It is noted that on December 31, 2024, the number of residents was 359," said Dr. Ioannides, referring to the results of the actions to decongest the asylum system.
In turn, the Minister of Interior, referring to the actions taken to upgrade the reception and accommodation infrastructure for migrants and after referring to the improvement projects carried out at the “Pournara” Primary Care Center and the Reception and Accommodation Center for Applicants for International Protection in Kofinou, underlined the importance of creating a Pre-Return Center, with the capacity to accommodate approximately 1.000 persons. According to Mr. Ioannou, “the absence of a detention center for people who are under deportation or who voluntarily want to return to their countries of origin does not allow us at this time to fully implement our plans to strengthen and increase returns”, underlining that with the completion of the project, the competent authorities will have more tools at their disposal to intensify Cyprus’ already successful practice in the field of returns.
As the Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection characteristically added, "the reduction in numbers is not an end in itself, but contributes to the decongestion of the asylum system, which must become and remain sustainable, in order to serve those who truly need and are entitled to international protection."
