Cyprus presents immediate actions aimed at curbing and managing migration

Cyprus’ Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou has presented a series of immediate actions aimed at curbing and managing migration, which include, among others, the establishment of a Deputy Ministry of Asylum and Migration by June, even faster processing of asylum applications, and strengthening reception and hospitality infrastructure.

The Minister also referred to measures to prevent migrant flows through the ceasefire line and the launch of an information campaign, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry.

At a 6 June press conference where he gave an extensive presentation of the Government's immigration and asylum policy and the results so far, the Minister appeared cautiously optimistic. He noted that the latest data of the last few months demonstrate a drastic reduction in asylum applications (3,325 in the March – May 2023 trimester compared to 6,454 in 2022) and an acceleration of the examination process, with 2,400 cases examined in the last two months in relation to 1,646 new arrivals. He also said, that for the first time in many years, the total number of immigrants who left Cyprus is greater than the total number of those who arrived.

Specifically, he said, a total of 2,312 third-country nationals have been returned to their countries of origin in the March-May period. He also said that, with the continuation of the policy followed, it is expected that the number of returns will increase even more, with the aim of approaching 1,000 returns per month.

Ioannou spoke of “an unprecedented” influx in asylum applications in the last seven years, resulting in Cyprus becoming the country with the highest number of new asylum applications in relation to its population, with the figure in question exceeding 6% in comparison with about 1% corresponding to other frontline countries and an even lower percentage in the rest of the EU countries. In fact, he said, since 2015, asylum applications have increased by 490%.

He reiterated at the same time that the majority of applications are deemed groundless, noting that, in 2022, 96% of all Asylum Service decisions were negative, which, as he indicated, demonstrates abuse of the asylum system by third country nationals, “who are essentially economic migrants and have no valid reason to apply for international protection”. He also reiterated that 95% of applicants enter the occupied part of Cyprus illegally and end up in the free areas through the ceasefire line, stressing that it is proven that Turkey is instrumentalising migration flows, and facilitating the arrival of third country nationals to Cyprus.

“The routes have been traced and recorded”, the Minister said, adding that migrants use Istanbul airport to fly to the occupied territories of Cyprus after enrolling in so-called colleges, and from there, they cross the ceasefire line and enter the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. He said that the majority of immigrants who follow this route come from safe countries and they mainly originate from sub-Saharan African countries, while they barely speak English, which raises the question how did they even get accepted into so-called universities.

Referring to the measures that the new Government has already implemented during the first three months of governance, he said they have doubled the number of examiners, which gradually contributes to picking up the pace in the examination of applications, while they are promoting the amendment of the procedural regulations of the Administrative Court of International Protection with the aim to take further measures, such as the inclusion of additional categories in the fast-track cases, in order to expedite the examination process and completion of the cases before the Court.

According to the Minister, the returns office has already been strengthened with new staff and the return procedures have already been improved, for a quicker identification of people who could be returned to their countries.

Regarding strengthening the reception and hospitality infrastructure, the Minister noted that several problems have already been resolved and the conditions at the “Pournara” First Reception Center have improved, while an upgrade was also being implemented, at the Reception and Hospitality Center for International Protection Applicants in Kofinou, in collaboration with the EUAA. He also referred to the creation of the Hospitality Center in “Limnes” area and the Pre-Departure Center in Menogeia, the construction of which is to be completed in about two years.

Cyprus’ positions at EU level for tackling flows though the ceasefire line

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In relation to the measures to prevent flows, with a special focus on the ceasefire line, the Minister, noted that, due to the fact that the ceasefire line is not a border, there are limitations as to the measures that can be taken internally to prevent illegal crossings. Therefore, he said, a large part of the Government's efforts are aimed at the European level, and mainly in the context of the eastern Mediterranean Action Plan, the preparation of which was agreed upon by the European Council last February, and is in the process of being drawn up.

He said that, Cyprus' positions on the content of the Plan are focused on dealing with the influx of migrants through the ceasefire line, through a diplomatic approach to Turkey, by utilising EU policies and tools. Specifically, Cyprus requests the installation of a European mechanism at the Istanbul airport for visa supervision, the placement of liaison officers (perhaps FRONTEX) at the departure gates of third country airports to screen passengers based on specific criteria, consultations between the EU and air carriers involved in human trafficking or the smuggling of migrants from Turkey to the occupied territories and disincentives as regards granting student visas, to “colleges” in the occupied territories, in cases it appears that it concerns smuggling of irregular immigrants.

The Minister also said that 218 newly recruited special constables have been tasked with monitoring the ceasefire line to prevent illegal crossings, by identifying people smugglers, but also to escort migrants who are found in the area. At the same time, the installation of supervisory electronic means is progressing, he said.

The Minister also said that an information campaign is to be launched soon, in collaboration with the Press and Information Office, which includes an online campaign, and will focus on trying to prevent would-be irregular migrants from going several steps back, in their own countries of origin, by presenting the real situation and the dangers of illegal immigration.

Ioannou also referred to the cooperation with the Ministry of Labour to intensify checks and identify those who work illegally.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

(Source: CNA)