Immigrant arrivals into Cyprus has increased by 40%

The number of immigrants who arrived in the territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus has increased by about 40% compared to the previous year, according to a statement made by President Nicos Anastasiadis during a teleconference with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, in preparation for the Summit to be held tomorrow in Brussels.

Immigration is one of the topics of concern to the EU and is on the agenda of the European Council. Cyprus is the country in the EU that receives the most immigrants in relation to its population.  President Anastasiadis pointed out the disproportionate burden that the Republic of Cyprus bears due to the very high migration flows.

The President of the Republic added that the largest percentage of asylum seekers persons who are systematically assisted by Turkey to cross into the free areas of Cyprus through the occupied territories. According to the available data, about 12,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the first 11 months of the year, most of them from the occupied side. The percentage of applicants and beneficiaries of international protection in Cyprus corresponds to 4% of the population. According to officials, this is a huge number compared to the population of Cyprus.

In the rest of the EU frontline countries, this percentage does not exceed 1%.  Consequently, the Republic of Cyprus has submitted to the EU an urgent request to find ways to provide tangible and concrete assistance to Cyprus, both from the EU itself and its partners.

Source: CNA