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Cyprus received more than 7,000 applications from asylum seekers in 2020

04/02/2021 16:44

Cyprus, despite the pandemic crisis, received more than 7,000 applications from asylum seekers in 2020, with Syrians being the first nationality among the applicants, said Minister of Interior Nikos Nouris, who had a video conference on Monday with Ola Ola Henrikson, the Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration`s (IOM) Regional Office for the EU, Norway and Switzerland.

A press release issued today by the Press and Information Office says that the Minister briefed Henrikson on the migration influxes in Cyprus and discussed the prospect of strengthening the cooperation with the IOM in finding effective ways for voluntary returns and reintegration of third-country nationals to their countries of origin.

The Minister pointed out that Cyprus remains the first country among the EU member states in the numbers of asylum seekers it receives in proportion to its size and population. He briefed the IOM Regional Director how migrants enter the Cyprus Republic from the occupied northern areas.

Nouris also informed him on the initiatives Cyprus is taking to address the increased pressure from the influxes of migrants in its territory, including the readmission agreement with Lebanon and other countries. He also referred to recent legislative measures in order to speed up the return procedures of persons whose asylum applications have been rejected.

Interior Minister said that Cyprus makes use of the program of assisted voluntary returns and reintegration of third-country nationals for their safe return, adding that a new pilot program is in place for housing vulnerable migrants, which, among other things, aims to prevent demographic change and to avoid setting up ghetto areas.

IOM Regional Director expressed the Organization`s readiness to support Cyprus` effort. Interior Minister extended an invitation to him to visit the island.