MIGRATION: Cyprus is worried over increased migrant flows to the island

Cyprus Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides is concerned over the increasing trend in the flow of migrants to Cyprus, calling for a holistic solution to people smuggling in the EU.

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Nicosia warned that Cyprus has reached its limits with regard to the number of migrants it can easily cope with.

“Indeed, there is an alarmingly increasing trend in the flow of irregular migration to Cyprus either by sea or via the occupied areas of Cyprus,” Petrides told CNA after a new arrival of 35 Syrian migrants in two separate groups.

There has been a constant flow of irregular migrants mainly, through the occupied areas but also by boat, with over 80 migrants arriving in Cyprus in the last month alone.

“As an EU member-state, Cyprus respects its obligations, but on the other hand Cyprus has reached its limits with regard the number of migrants it could absorb,” Petrides said.

According to official data, Cyprus hosts around 10,000 migrants while approximately 4,000 asylum applications are pending for assessment.

Describing the migration issue as a difficult one for the European Union, Petrides said that he will convene a Ministerial meeting to assess the situation and examine possible measures.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The so-called green line stretching for approximately 180 kilometres is considered as a gateway for irregular migrants to the government-controlled areas.