Nouris: Buffer-zone migrant surveillance system ready by August

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris will on Monday be discussing the increased migration flow from Turkey with EU officials, and Cyprus’ request for additional EU financing aiming to upgrade the Pournara reception centre which is currently operating beyond its capacity.

He also said that the installation of a surveillance system to monitor arrivals through the buffer zone dividing the island is expected to start in August coupled with a special ‘task force’ to monitor the ceasefire line.
Nouris reiterated that Nicosia has proof of Turkey’s instrumentalisation of migrants by sending them to Cyprus through the buffer zone from the north of the island.

“We have sent a letter supported by concrete evidence,” Nouris said, noting that the data concerned 317 travel documents of migrants, “which clearly depict the route and the instrumentalisation of these people by Turkey.”

He added that the people crossing the buffer zone come from Sub-Saharan Africa through Tymbou (Ercan)airport in the north via Turkey with a 60-day ‘visa’

Nouris said Cyprus` migration problem was not merely a financial one but should be “tackled drastically.”

“Daily crossings exceeding 100 each night should be contained,” he said, adding that returns should be increased. He said that returns reached 680 so far in 2022 “but lag significantly behind the 5,000 arrivals during the first quarter of 2022.”

Nouris said that he discussed the issue with the EU Commission Vice President and he will discuss the matter on Monday in Brussels, after the Justice and Home Affairs Council.

“I will meet with EU officials to discuss this issue as well as Cyprus’ additional request for a €20-million funding aiming to upgrade the Pournara centre to be able to cope with the huge burden we are facing today,” he added, noting that capacity in Pournara has exceeded 3,000 persons.

“It is absolutely impossible to host such numbers with the infrastructure we have today,” Nouris said.

He said the Council meeting would discuss the migration issue on the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and each member-state’s capacity to host Ukrainian refugees.

Asked whether he thought there would be a positive response in Brussels, he said that following the visits of Commission VP Margaritis Schinas, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and DG Home Affairs Deputy Director General Beate Gminder “there is a clear favourable approach towards our country’s requests.”

In relation to the war in Ukraine, Nouris said that refugees from the war-torn country to Cyprus are estimated to be around 10,000 until now, including those who arrived before the start of Russia’s invasion. Daily arrivals are estimated at 180-200.