Cyprus has recorded a 92% reduction in irregular arrivals compared with 2022, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nikolas Ioannides said in an interview published by the Sunday Mail. Referring to the activities of smugglers in the occupied areas, he said: “We have videos showing movements in the occupied areas, in which people can be seen guiding them [the migrants] to come over.”
At the same time, Ioannides said Cyprus needs foreign workers to fill positions that cannot be covered by the domestic workforce.
The Deputy Minister discussed the decline in migration flows, returns, the government’s policy on Syrians and the need to treat legal migration as part of the solution to labour shortages.
He said the reduction in irregular arrivals was not the result of a single measure, but rather a combination of actions, including increased surveillance along the Green Line, the installation of cameras, maritime patrols, faster processing of asylum applications and returns.
“Previously, someone could apply for asylum and remain for years until their application was examined,” he said, noting that applications are now processed within weeks or a few months.
According to the Deputy Minister, more than 4,000 people have been repatriated or deported since the beginning of 2026. At the same time, pressure on the Pournara Reception and Accommodation Centre has fallen significantly, with 142 people currently staying there compared with more than 3,000 in the past.
Ioannides also said that the Green Line, which had previously been a major route for irregular arrivals, is no longer being used to the same extent. He also referred to evidence which, he said, shows the activities of smugglers in the occupied areas.
“We also have videos showing movements in the occupied areas, in which people can be seen guiding them to come over,” he said, clarifying that the issue concerns the activities of smugglers rather than the profile of the migrants themselves.
Regarding possible cooperation with Turkey to reduce migration flows, Ioannides said there had been no direct contact, noting that representations had been made by the European Commission. He also said Turkey has tightened its own migration policy.
Referring to Syrians, Ioannides said around 5,500 have voluntarily returned to Syria. He explained that the circumstances vary, with some withdrawing their asylum applications or giving up their protection status, while others had their applications rejected or their protection status revoked.
The Deputy Minister stressed that difficult living conditions in Syria do not, by themselves, constitute grounds for granting asylum.
“There are difficult living conditions, but living conditions do not establish a right to asylum,” he said.
He also noted that Cyprus supports the lifting of EU sanctions against Syria and maintains contacts with Damascus, while cooperating with the International Organization for Migration on the reintegration of those who return.
Need for foreign workers
Ioannides described the presence of foreign workers in Cyprus as “essential” because of the needs of the economy and the country’s low unemployment rate.
“We want to fill sectors that are important for the economy and the country’s competitiveness and which cannot be covered by Cypriots,” he said.
With unemployment at around 4% or lower, he said Cyprus needs workers from abroad to fill positions in sectors facing staff shortages.
“Therefore, it is absolutely essential to have a foreign workforce,” he said.
The Deputy Minister also rejected the view that Cyprus applies different migration policies depending on migrants’ financial circumstances or religion, noting that Egyptians, Syrians and Muslims are already working in the country.
Integration and digitalisation
Ioannides also highlighted the need for better integration of legally residing migrants through Greek-language learning, skills development and greater knowledge of Cyprus’ institutions and way of life.
He said the government is also seeking to reduce bureaucracy and increase digitalisation in legal migration procedures, with the aim of having most processes related to legal migration handled electronically by the end of 2027.
Speaking more broadly about the government’s policy, he said the objective is to change perceptions surrounding migration.
“We want to turn migration into a solution,” he said.
“Most migrants are here to work. They obey the law, contribute to society and contribute to the economy,” he added.
The Deputy Minister also said Cyprus will continue supporting Ukrainians in the country, with the aim of gradually transitioning those who remain after temporary protection ends to other forms of legal residence, including work-related permits.
Finally, he described the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum as important for frontline member states, noting that Cyprus has faced disproportionate pressure from migration flows.
Source: CNA
Also read: President on housing schemes: 570 state-owned plots offered at 25% of their value
