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31-10-2022 15:45

Statement by the Minister of Interior, Mr Nicos Nouris, on the signing of the agreement for the Second Swiss Contribution to Cyprus

It is with great pleasure that I am here today at the Federal Department of Justice and Police in Switzerland, with the Federal Councillor to co-sign the agreement on the implementation of the Second Swiss Contribution between the Republic of Cyprus and the Swiss Federal Council that includes substantial financial support in a number of areas such as migration and social cohesion, with particular reference to health programmes for people with rare genetic disorders, programmes to combat violence in the family and the particularly sensitive issue for Cyprus, the investigation of the fate of our missing persons as a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Especially regarding the Swiss contribution in the field of migration, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Swiss Government, for this significant act of true solidarity towards the Republic of Cyprus and the contribution of 10 million Swiss francs, which will be utilized in our effort to effectively manage the increased migration flows that Cyprus is facing.

Τhis financial support comes at a time when the number of asylum seekers in Cyprus has exceeded 16,5 thousands for 2022 and the overall percentage of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection has reach the 6% of the total population. The disproportionate migratory flows have led to a situation of force majeure, forcing to their limits the national asylum and reception systems.

The gesture of the Swiss Government and the financial support to the Republic of Cyprus show the solidarity that is gradually being established in Europe in the management of the migration issue and especially towards the frontline member states that bear the greatest burden of the problem.

This Swiss contribution will be used in two extremely important pillars that we have prioritised.

The first pillar is the implementation of efficient and high-quality asylum procedures, under which new infrastructures for the Asylum and Migration Services will be established in order to improve current facilities and, therefore, increase the capacity in handling asylum issues. The new infrastructures will make it possible to properly accommodate the additional staff the Service will recruit in order to be able to operate more effectively, and manage the increased migratory flows.

The second pillar is the additional decisive enhancement of returns of those migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, with respect to the principle for voluntary, dignified and safe return of third-country nationals to their country of origin. Cyprus has managed to increase returns in the latest years, while in 2022 we managed to multiply the numbers, exceeding so far 6000 returns. A figure that puts Cyprus in the first place, per capita, among the EU Member States in terms of returns. I am confident that with this support we will achieve even more in this area.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today solidarity goes beyond words and is put into practice.

I, therefore, feel the need and the obligation to express our thanks and gratitude to the Switzerland and especially to the Federal Councillor Karin Keller- for her personal commitment and willingness to support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus.

This action of yours, dear Karin, takes on even greater significance as it takes place at a time when Europe is overwhelmed by the crisis in Ukraine causing, among other issues, serious economic difficulties. I sincerely thank you and I am sure that this day will be the trigger for further strengthening the relations between our two countries.

(EFys/NG)