Interior Minister Advocates for Increased Migrant Returns at EU Meeting
In a significant move on the European stage, Cyprus’ Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has taken a firm stance on the issue of migration. At an EU ministerial meeting in Ghent, Belgium, Ioannou is set to present the Republic of Cyprus’ strategy that has led to a notable increase in migrant returns. This meeting, held under the auspices of the Belgian EU Presidency, brings together 27 ministers responsible for migration issues to discuss the implementation of the asylum and migration pact.
The Cypriot policy has been effective, as evidenced by the statistics: Cyprus now leads EU member states in the rate of returns per population. In 2023, there was a 66 percent rise in migrant returns compared to the previous year, and this trend continues into the first quarter of 2024 with an additional 1,000 departures. These figures are particularly striking when considering the drop in total asylum applications from 21,565 in 2022 to 11,617 in 2023.
While there has been a decrease in asylum applicants from African countries, from 9,384 in 2022 to just 2,607 in 2023, the number of Syrian asylum seekers has surged from 4,088 to 6,148. This shift underscores the complexity of migration patterns and the need for adaptive strategies.
Ioannou’s presentation at the EU meeting is expected to shed light on the measures that have contributed to Cyprus’ success in managing migration flows. His insights into the country’s approach could serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar challenges. Following his contribution to these critical discussions on asylum and migration, Ioannou will return to Cyprus on Tuesday.
