In a plea for help Cyprus wants EU member states to accept for relocation 5000 of its migrants to significantly alleviate the” disproportionate pressures and severe challenges” faced by the country.
Cypriot Minister of the Interior, Constantinos Petrides sent the official request to the EU Commissioner for Migration, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and to his EU counterparts.
Petrides said Cyprus is currently hosting around 9,000 persons granted protection only in the past few years.
Syrian nationals, as prima facie persons in need of protection, account for over 26% of the overall migratory influx of Cyprus from 2016 onwards.
According to the available data, around 8,500 persons arrived in Cyprus from Turkey or through the occupied areas between 2015-2019.
The number arriving in Cyprus and applying for asylum between January and June 2019 is nearly 7,000, while the backlog of applications awaiting examination has increased to almost 15,000, despite the additional staff hired by the Asylum Service.
“Unfortunately, despite our efforts to effectively manage the mass influx but also our repeated pleas for solidarity measures, Cyprus has not benefited from any relocation scheme so far,” wrote Petrides.
In his three-page letter, Petrides said that that arrivals in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean route continue to steadily increase, noting that in the absence of a truly holistic agreement that will enable the appropriate management of migratory influx to the EU, the Republic of Cyprus is in urgent need of immediate assistance, given the unprecedent high number of arrivals.
“Turkey systematically refuses to cooperate with the competent authorities of the Republic,” said Petrides.
“While the greatest percentage of the arrivals come to Cyprus through Turkey or via the occupied area, the Turkish occupation of 37% of our territory, makes it impossible to implement any measures targeted to reducing the migratory influx towards the Republic.”
Cyprus with a population of around 850,000, remains the top receiving member state of first-time asylum applications in proportion to its population for a third consecutive year.
"Despite a series of measures that have been taken with a view to strengthen our asylum system and its capacities, the disproportionate pressures of the past three consecutive years have reached a peak of 130% increase in the first six months of 2019."
Petrides added: "We remain committed towards our obligations deriving from international and European acquis.
“Nonetheless, I have to admit that our capabilities and resources are beyond the point of exhaustion and we are at risk of not being able to help those who are really in need of protection," he added.
Member States have been asked to submit their pledges for relocating 5,000 migrants from Cyprus, on the basis of bilateral agreements, and with priority given to vulnerable persons.
“Financial support for the implementation of the scheme should become available in line with existing instruments," the minister said.
"Only a Europe that stands in solidarity with all its members, especially those in grave need of assistance, can promote its values and protect the principles that founded the European family."
Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory in response to a Greek-engineered coup in Nicosia.
