15 men, 2 women, 7 children and 2 unaccompanied minors, the migrants identified. The status of Syria, the Pact on Migration and the implementation of the Deputy Ministry of Migration in Cyprus, among other topics that will be discussed
A total of 26 illegal immigrants were spotted this morning in a boat in the waters of Ayia Napa.
Information from the KYPE states that the migrants were spotted around 07.10 this morning in a boat in the Makronisos area in Ayia Napa.
A Coastal and Maritime Police vessel went to the area and picked up the migrants, transporting them safely to shore.
There were 15 men, 2 women, 7 children and 2 unaccompanied minors on board the boat who are being transferred to the Detention Center in Mennogeia after their details have been recorded.
The meeting on immigration is on Tuesday
The actions as well as the proposals of the Republic of Cyprus to deal with immigration will be discussed on Tuesday at the meeting of the Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, who is visiting Cyprus. Among other things, the status of Syria, the Pact on Migration and the implementation of the Deputy Ministry of Migration in Cyprus will be discussed.
Speaking at the KYPE, the press representative of the Ministry of the Interior, Margarita Kyriakou, said that the Minister of the Interior will present the strategy implemented by the Republic of Cyprus for immigration, as well as the initiative of Cyprus to discuss the attitude of the European Union towards the Syrian regime and the need to re-evaluate based on today's data.
Mrs. Kyriakou explained that twelve years ago when the civil war in Syria had started, refugee status was temporarily given to Syrians, but the temporary, as she said, tends to become permanent.
He added that while there is no possibility of repatriation at the same time, many who are coming now or others who had previously come to Cyprus are traveling to Syria for whatever reason and are returning either from the occupied territories or from the airports of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mrs. Kyriakou indicated that this fact demonstrates that now "the situation in Syria is obviously not so dangerous, at least in some of its regions".
Mrs. Kyriakou noted that the Minister of Interior will discuss with the Commissioner the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean as well as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which was recently approved by the European Parliament.
The Minister, Ms. Kyriakou continued, will also inform about the implementation stage of the Deputy Ministry of Immigration, about the hospitality infrastructure and the upgrades that have been made, but also about the Action Plan for the integration and integration of immigrants into Cypriot society, the which at this stage is in draft form.
At the same time, according to Ms. Kyriakou, the Minister of the Interior will inform the Commissioner about the migration flows, about the arrivals and departures that have taken place.
Mrs. Kyriakou added that refunds have increased, while there has also been a large reduction in inflows to the Green Line. He noted that mainly Africans came from there who obtained student visas, moved to the occupied territories to study at the "universities", but their purpose was to pass to the free areas.
"This is also due to the information provided in African countries, such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, because they came and did not even know that Cyprus is an island or they thought they could walk and pass to another country," said Ms. Kyriakou .
He also mentioned that the time for examining the applications has also been reduced since now a decision is issued within three months, which prevents Cyprus from being an attractive destination, due to the allowances that were given in the past until the applications were examined.
He noted that there are many immigrants who choose voluntary return as they have the incentive of 1000 to 1500 euros depending on the country of origin. He emphasized that there are also deportations that result from inspections by the Labor Inspection Department, but also by the Police.
The Commissioner's program
According to information from the Delegation of the European Commission in Cyprus, tomorrow at 09:00 a.m. Mrs. Johansson will visit the Rescue Research Coordination Center (RCC), while at 11:00 a.m. she will have a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou.
It is noted that a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, will follow at 12:00, while statements will be made at 13:00. It is added that at 14:45 she will visit the Pournara Reception Center, while at 16:00 the Commissioner will have a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantinos Kobo.
Also, at 17:30 Mrs. Johansson will have a meeting with interested parties, the UNHCR and NGOs active in migration and asylum issues.