Interior Minister: Cyprus among EU states with most migrant returns

Cyprus is among the European Union member states with the most migrant returns, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has said.

Addressing the 2nd Meeting of the Monitoring Committees of Internal Affairs Funds for the 2021-2027 Programming Period, which took place in Larnaca, the Minister revealed that "by October 2023, 9,300 persons left Cyprus, compared to 5,800 who had left in the corresponding period of 2022".

This was in part down to a concerted effort by the ministry to boost migrant returns, which among other saw asylum examiners gradually more than double. Combined with a 50% reduction in the number of new applications, this has led to a 60% increase in the number of returns compared to 2022, Ioannou said.

"Cyprus is one of the frontline Member States of the European Union and has been subject to intense migratory pressures over the years. Currently, 5.4% of the country's population are either applicants or beneficiaries of international protection,” the Interior Minister said.

He added that the issue of migrant returns requires coordinated action at EU level. “We consider it essential to promote the conclusion of agreements with third countries, a measure included in the Eastern Mediterranean Action Plan and expected to contribute to the decongestion of Member States, especially those on the front line.”

According to Ioannou, for the 2021-2027 programming period, Cyprus has been allocated the increased sum of €162m under the Internal Affairs Funds programmes. This includes €134m from European funds and €28m from national funds. “The Commission, acknowledging the disproportionate burden that migratory flows impose on Cyprus as a frontline Member State, has directly approved additional funds," he pointed out.

(Source: CNA, Photo: PIO)