Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides on Friday urged the interior ministry to speed up its processes over granting children of mixed couples a citizenship, in cases where one parent is Cypriot.

Delays have meant these children face problems in registering for the national health system (Gesy), applying for benefits and obtaining a Cypriot passport, she said in a report.

Complaints of cases reached Lottidou’s office where one of the two parents is a Cypriot citizen, namely a Greek Cypriot (in only one case the mother is Turkish Cypriot) and the other parent is a national of a third country (Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Cameroon, Cameroon, Georgia, Vietnam, Congo, Philippines).

These couples have had children born and raised in the Republic of Cyprus, who, however, have not yet been granted Cypriot citizenship by the interior ministry.

The ombudswoman recommended cases which fulfill all the necessary conditions should be handled immediately without further delay and sent to cabinet for a final decision.

In circumstances where requests cannot be fulfilled, applications should be informed in writing promptly as to why.