Limnes migrant centre in Larnaca to be completed by year-end (photos)

The new Limnes Accommodation Centre, designed to house applicants for international protection and those awaiting repatriation, is set to be completed by the end of 2023. The €100 million facility, located in Menoyia, Larnaca, will have a capacity to accommodate 1,000 people, with potential for expansion.

During a site visit on Wednesday, Transport Minister Alexis Vafiadis praised the progress of the construction, emphasizing that the project is on track to meet its end-of-year completion deadline. "It’s a huge job, and it’s progressing well," Vafiadis said. "We are working to ensure that it stays on schedule." The facility, which is being built to international specifications, will meet European standards for such infrastructure.

Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis stressed the importance of the project, both for Cyprus’ goal to join the Schengen Area and for its role in improving the country’s management of migration. "This project is vital for addressing the migration issue," Hartsiotis said. It will also allow the Menoyia Centre to be repurposed for detention facilities and a juvenile detention area, he added.

The new centre will be used to temporarily house asylum seekers while they await the processing of their applications, with stays ranging from one to three months. This is part of the government's strategy to relieve pressure on urban areas, according to Deputy Minister of Migration Nicolas Ioannidis. "Accommodation centres are key to keeping asylum seekers out of cities and villages, ensuring they stay in proper conditions according to European standards," Ioannidis said.

The facility will be partially funded by the European Union, covering 90% of the costs. This significantly reduces the burden on the Cypriot state budget. The accommodation centre will serve as a temporary housing option, while the adjacent Pre-Departure Centre will hold detainees awaiting deportation.

As for the residents of the centre, Ioannidis clarified that asylum seekers will have the freedom to leave the facility during their stay, while those in the Pre-Departure Centre will be detained. If an asylum application is rejected at the first stage, applicants can appeal, but if their appeal is denied, they will be detained for deportation.

The facility is set to play a crucial role in Cyprus’ ongoing efforts to manage migration effectively and ensure compliance with European Union standards.