Surge in Refugee Arrivals to Cyprus Prompts Presidential Dialogue with EU Commission
In the wake of an unprecedented surge in arrivals of mainly Syrian refugees, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is set to engage in critical discussions with Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission. The talks, scheduled for Sunday on the sidelines of a conference in Athens, come as Cyprus grapples with a significant increase in irregular crossings from Syria.
Officials have reported that since March 31, there have been at least 800 new arrivals, with 22 individuals reaching the island just this past Friday. This influx marks a stark contrast to the 78 individuals recorded during the same period last year. The small boats carrying Syrian refugees are believed to originate from Lebanon, prompting Cyprus to call for enhanced assistance to the country to stem the flow of migrants.
Amidst rising tensions in the Middle East, Cyprus has positioned itself as a frontline state in managing migration flows into the European Union. The island nation, which lies at the EU’s southeastern border, has seen over 2,000 people make the perilous 100-mile sea journey in the first quarter of the year alone.
Following his meeting with von der Leyen, President Christodoulides is slated to visit Lebanon on Monday. He will be joined by key Cypriot officials, including Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, who described the current situation as “exceptionally difficult.”
Cyprus has previously extended technical support to Lebanon to curb migrant outflows and is advocating for more substantial aid to be provided. However, it emphasizes that such support should be linked to improved coordination on migration issues. Additionally, Cyprus is urging the EU to recognize certain regions in Syria as safe, potentially facilitating the return of refugees under stringent conditions.
The island has a history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing conflict, having welcomed thousands of Lebanese refugees during the civil war in the 1970s. Cyprus and Lebanon share a bond of close relations, further underscoring the importance of their collaboration on current migration challenges.
