Bilateral agreements needed for the repatriation of migrants

DISY President Averof Neophytou said on Wednesday that Cyprus should speed up bilateral repatriation agreements with countries in order to ensure public safety.

In a statement at the end of his visit to the Lithotechnic company in Larnaca, Mr. Neophytou said, "the Cypriot state should seek to quickly conclude bilateral repatriation agreements.  Maybe we should have done this a long time ago".  

He added, "we have an obligation to look at the demographic fabric of the country. We are neither inhuman, nor racist, nor against helping small children, or even against helping those who are really persecuted; on the other hand we must ensure the state and its citizens are protected through a set of measures, so that those who want to exploit the system do not create problems, whether in the form of crime or public security, and most importantly to prevent the burdening of financial resources".

He also praised the government's decision to hold a special meeting today on the migrant crisis in Cyprus.

Mr. Neophytou was visiting the Lithotechnic company in Larnaca today to show his support for small businesses affected by the pandemic and to promote the use of eco-friendly raw materials.  He affirmed that these business were the backbone of the Cyprus economy and needed to be supported.

[Source: CNA]