Cyprus is reaching its limit with the Syrian refugee influx, now comprising seven percent of its population. Seeking EU approval to deport refugees to safe zones in Syria, the government has suspended asylum claims processing and is actively working to prevent new arrivals.
What is Cyprus’ position on the Syrian refugee influx?
Cyprus has declared it is at its limit with the Syrian refugee influx, with refugees now comprising seven percent of its population. The government seeks EU approval to deport refugees to safe zones in Syria, has suspended asylum claims processing, and is taking measures to prevent new arrivals. Cyprus is also engaging diplomatically with EU member states to gain support for its stance.
The Refugee Cap Reached
Cyprus has reached its limit with the influx of Syrian refugees, as President Nikos Christodoulides firmly stated. During a recent interview, he emphasized that the island nation is “at our limit” and the additional flow of refugees is no longer sustainable. A staggering seven percent of Cyprus’s population now consists of refugees, a fact that underlines the magnitude of the challenge faced by this small country.
The Cypriot government is actively seeking ways to begin deporting refugees back to Syria. This controversial move hinges on convincing the European Union to recognize parts of Syria as safe for return. Christodoulides’ approach has noticeably toughened, shifting from a polite request to an outright demand for certain regions of Syria to be declared as safe zones.
Unyielding Measures
In line with this hardened stance, there has been a suspension of asylum claims processing for Syrian nationals, as announced by Christodoulides on social media. This decision follows the EU’s permissible guidelines, allowing for a 21-month delay between the submission and examination of asylum applications. Moreover, the government has signaled its intent to revoke the protected status of Syrian nationals who have visited their home country illegally.
To prevent further arrivals, Cyprus has taken to the sea as well, deploying police boats off the Lebanese coast in a clear message to deter potential asylum seekers. The actions demonstrate Cyprus’s commitment to reducing the number of asylum seekers and managing the refugee situation within its borders.
Diplomatic Pursuits and EU Dynamics
The Cyprus News Agency reported that at least ten EU member states are in favor of Cyprus’s proposal to declare parts of Syria safe. Preparations are underway for Nicosia to host a conference in May, aiming to pressure the European Commission into making a decision.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has been a key diplomat in these efforts, discussing the situation with officials across Europe, including Denmark, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Austria. These discussions have led to the planning of a joint fact-finding mission to Syria with the Czech Republic and have garnered the support of Austria, who believes that deportations to safe areas in Syria should be feasible in the medium term.
However, not all EU states are aligned with this viewpoint. A misunderstanding with Sweden highlighted the lack of unanimous support for Cyprus’ plan, showing that the road ahead may be fraught with differing opinions and resistance.
The Safety of Return Areas
The European Union Agency for Asylum has indicated that certain provinces like Damascus and Tartus might be considered safe for returnees. Tartus, a port city, is considered generally free from the risk of serious harm, while Damascus, despite being the capital, requires careful consideration due to individual risks and its proximity to conflict zones.
The situation is complex, as even within these cities, the risk to returnees is not uniformly absent. Land routes to Damascus from Tartus pass through areas like Homs, which are subject to indiscriminate violence. Additionally, the city itself is not immune to conflict, highlighted by recent bombings, including an attack on the Iranian embassy.
While Cyprus navigates these challenging circumstances, balancing humanitarian responsibilities with national capacity, the evolving situation continues to demand attention and action from the European Union and the international community.
What is Cyprus’ position on the Syrian refugee influx?
Cyprus has declared it is at its limit with the Syrian refugee influx, with refugees now comprising seven percent of its population. The government seeks EU approval to deport refugees to safe zones in Syria, has suspended asylum claims processing, and is taking measures to prevent new arrivals. Cyprus is also engaging diplomatically with EU member states to gain support for its stance.
Has Cyprus reached its refugee cap?
Yes, Cyprus has reached its limit with the influx of Syrian refugees, comprising seven percent of its population. President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that the additional flow of refugees is no longer sustainable. The government is actively seeking ways to begin deporting refugees back to Syria, pending EU approval.
What measures has Cyprus taken to manage the refugee situation within its borders?
Cyprus has suspended asylum claims processing for Syrian nationals, with a 21-month delay between submission and examination. The government has also signaled its intent to revoke the protected status of Syrians who have visited their home country illegally. To prevent further arrivals, Cyprus has deployed police boats off the Lebanese coast to deter potential asylum seekers.
How is Cyprus engaging diplomatically to address the Syrian refugee crisis?
Cyprus is working diplomatically to gain EU support for its proposal to declare parts of Syria safe for return. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has discussed the situation with officials from various EU member states, with preparations for a conference in May to pressure the European Commission into making a decision. While some EU states support the proposal, others, like Sweden, have shown resistance, indicating a challenging road ahead.
