NICOSIA (Reuters) – Cyprus stated on Monday that simply throwing money at irregular migration will not solve the problem, emphasizing that the EU needs to adopt a more comprehensive approach and reconsider the ban on deportations to Syria.
In recent years, Cyprus has experienced a significant increase in irregular migration, with migrants arriving by sea from neighboring Syria and Lebanon, or through a loophole via a ceasefire line dividing the island, which has since been closed.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said, “If we truly want to address the migration issue, it cannot be done solely through financial resources or addressing the phenomenon itself. It must involve an examination of the root causes and collaboration with the countries from which migrants originate.”
Situated about 100 miles (185 km) west of Lebanon and Syria, Cyprus faced a more than fourfold increase in arrivals from both countries last year, leading to concerns in Nicosia about a potential surge in migration if tensions in the Middle East escalate across the region.
As an EU member since 2004 and the country closest to the Middle East, Cyprus is urging the bloc to consider designating certain parts of war-torn Syria as safe, which would enable authorities to repatriate individuals arriving from those areas.
Christodoulides acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding this issue and stated, “There are specific areas in Syria that need to be assessed for safety, and subsequently, whether migrants from those areas can be sent back. I believe it is imperative for the EU to engage in discussions on this matter.”
(Reporting By Michele Kambas; editing by David Evans)
