Cyprus wants EU support for migrant crackdown as flows rise
A migrant touches a post as he stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence as others wait in a line to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants walk in a field next of a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, as a giant Turkish Cypriot breakaway flag, right, and Turkish flags painted on a mountain are seen in the background in the Turkish occupied area of the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants look through a fence as they talk with other migrants inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Cypriot police officer talks with a migrant as she waits with others to be registered at a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant walks inside a refugee camp after being registered inside the refugee camp of Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, near Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A woman sits on the ground as she waits in a line with other migrants to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity.(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants sit on the ground as they wait to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia ,outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant touches a post as he stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant touches a post as he stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence as others wait in a line to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence as others wait in a line to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants walk in a field next of a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, as a giant Turkish Cypriot breakaway flag, right, and Turkish flags painted on a mountain are seen in the background in the Turkish occupied area of the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants walk in a field next of a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, as a giant Turkish Cypriot breakaway flag, right, and Turkish flags painted on a mountain are seen in the background in the Turkish occupied area of the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants look through a fence as they talk with other migrants inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants look through a fence as they talk with other migrants inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant stands behind a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Cypriot police officer talks with a migrant as she waits with others to be registered at a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Cypriot police officer talks with a migrant as she waits with others to be registered at a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant walks inside a refugee camp after being registered inside the refugee camp of Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant walks inside a refugee camp after being registered inside the refugee camp of Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, near Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A migrant looks through a fence inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, near Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A woman sits on the ground as she waits in a line with other migrants to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity.(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A woman sits on the ground as she waits in a line with other migrants to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia, outside Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity.(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants sit on the ground as they wait to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia ,outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Migrants sit on the ground as they wait to be registered inside a refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia ,outside of Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Cyprus’ Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has again appealed to the European Union for assistance to cope with a steady stream of new migrant arrivals crossing from the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with a reception center outside the capital Nicosia hosting more than double the number of migrants than its 1,000-person capacity. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus said Wednesday it will seek European Union approval to stop processing asylum claims from migrants illegally entering the east Mediterranean island nation.
Government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said a surge of new migrant arrivals is fueling serious crime, taxing state coffers and altering the country’s demographics.
Pelekanos said authorities would also press the EU to relocate a number of asylum seekers living in Cyprus to other bloc member countries and strike agreements with third countries to take back their citizens who have had their asylum applications rejected.
“The government is taking additional action as part of a comprehensive migration policy that respects human rights, but also protects the rights and interests of the country’s citizens,” Pelekanos told reporters.
He said the ministries of defense, the interior and justice will draft recommendations on how to deal with the new inflows, while the EU’s executive arm will be asked for assistance in line with decisions made to counter the migrant crisis on the borders of Lithuania and Poland.
Pelekanos said that in just the first 10 months of this year, migrant arrivals were up 38% compared to all of 2020. Of the 10,868 new arrivals, 9,270 illegally crossed a United Nations-controlled buffer zone from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north to seek asylum in the internationally recognized south.
The spokesman said asylum seekers comprise 4% of the population in the island’s south — four times the average of other EU front-line states — and 16% of all primary school students are children of migrants.
Pelekanos also said that migrants account for more than 43% of people implicated in serious crimes.
According to Pelekanos, the government paid 178 million euros ($205 million) between 2014-2020 for migrant allowances and accommodation while 38 million euros were added to this year’s budget to cover food and housing.
Cyprus Refugee Council head Corina Droushiotou said that, although the country is facing a problem, it’s unlikely that the EU would permit authorities not to process new asylum claims or that relocation procedures would be enacted soon.
She said it’s important that migrants continue to be allowed to apply for asylum.
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