In relation to questions that have been asked regarding the economic aspect of immigration, the Minister of Finance, Konstantinos Petridis, made a written statement on immigration.
The written statement as it stands:
In the programming period 2014-2020, resources were approved by the European Commission 97 Euros for the implementation of co-financed programs related to immigration.
For all actions and projects have been implemented and are being implemented 122 projects of which:
The 39 cm. concern resources from the EU Asylum and Immigration Fund, such as the supportive operation of the Reception Center in Kofinou, the creation of a Reception Center for unaccompanied minors, integration and learning programs for the Greek language of immigrants, and the creation of immigration service centers.
The 49 cm. concern projects from the Internal Security Fund such as the purchase of 3 boats of the Port Police and the creation of a center for the flow of migrants and refugees from the Middle East.
The 9 cm. resources from the Internal Security Fund for actions such as setting up a single contact point for the exchange of information with other Member States and training to strengthen the operational capacity of the police.
In addition, due to the continuous requests of the Republic of Cyprus due to the increased flows, another 5 million have already been approved by the EU regarding the improvement of Pournara and the strengthening of the staffing of the Social Welfare Services while additional requests for the amount are pending before the EU. 18.4 cm. concerning the extension of Pournara (13.6 cm.), strengthening the staffing of the Legal Service (1.2 cm.), the Asylum Service and the Department of Immigration (3.6 cm.). Requests, which are included in the Action Plan drafted with the EU, are in the process of being evaluated and are expected to be approved soon.
Along with the additional staffing of the Asylum Service to expedite the examination of asylum applications, Cyprus became the first country to sign on 19.9.2019 with EASO an agreement for permanent presence in the country, and a gradual increase of its staff for examining asylum applications. from 20 to 120 by the end of 2020. High-speed procedures have also been introduced to consider unfounded applications for people from safe countries, starting with Georgia.
The total assistance from the European Union in the current programming period, which is valid until 31/12/2022, was achieved at the request of the government by increasing the percentage of co-financing from the EU from 75% to 90%. Total European assistance for this period is expected to rise with the approval and pending requests, in About 120 million euros something to help 10 cm. about per year for 7 years.
It is pointed out that the utilization of European resources is governed by full control and evaluation by the European Union. All projects that have been implemented or are in progress, per year, anyone interested can easily find them on the website www.moi.gov.cy/moi/eufunds2015.nsf
It is noted that the European Commission itself has awarded credit to Cyprus, both for the rate of absorption and implementation of projects, presenting last year and as an example of "good practice" (Best Practice) in the implementation of programs related to immigration.
From National Resources
In addition to EU financial assistance, the Republic spends much more annually than the national budget on hosting asylum seekers and protectionists. For example, in 2019 they have been allocated from national resources 29 cm. for material reception conditions as follows:
- 11 cm. for rent allowance and vouchers for asylum seekers
- 8 cm. for protection holders of EUS beneficiaries
- 9 cm. for the cost of accommodation to unaccompanied.
These amounts, which are multiples of European aid, continue to increase due to increased flows.
In addition, large sums are spent from national resources on the administrative costs of the immigration issue, such as the recent operation and staffing of the special court which operated in July 2019 as an important measure to address the phenomenon of mass appeals in the Office's rejection decisions. Asylum in order to facilitate returns, but also other services of the state.
Despite the significant financial cost, the Government has shown the utmost solidarity with the real refugees and has never promoted the economic part as the quintessence of immigration. This, after all, would give an easy alibi to those in Europe who exhaust any sense of European solidarity in the economic sphere, avoiding their own responsibilities.
Cyprus claimed and received funds from the EU, and used them properly. For internal management issues, it has agreed and is implementing with the EU a plan with 100 specific actions for the management of the migration problem.
The essence of this complex problem is the excessive continuous flows which pose an asymmetric threat. Cyprus, together with Greece, has long been fighting at European level for the substance of the problem, and for revising an outdated European legislation that places the burden on the front-line countries. A few months ago, together with Bulgaria, they also submitted a formal proposal for the creation of a European mechanism for returns and redistributions throughout Europe.
Despite any internal management measures taken, or the provision of financial assistance, the resilience of the country and society has been exhausted by the massive and unplanned movements of migrants due to natural constraints on the labor market, housing, and society in general.
Over-simplified approaches that ignore reality must be avoided on such a serious issue, which plagues the whole of Europe, and which becomes even more difficult for Cyprus due to the wound of the Turkish occupation. Turkey, playing the role of trafficker, is also the main source of influx of immigrants in Cyprus.
The government is making a great and unequal effort to reduce and prevent excessive flows now both domestically and internationally, and the support of this effort is imperative.
Famagusta.News