Cyprus and the European Commission (EC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deal with an uncontrolled influx of unregistered migrants.
According to a source, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will assist the Cypriot authorities in dealing with a migratory crisis under the terms of the agreement. Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, signed the MOU virtually on behalf of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, stating that the European Commission, along with Frontex and Europol, will step up their help for Cyprus' migration management.
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris, who inked the agreement on behalf of the Nicosia government in presence of European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, said that the number of asylum seekers has increased dramatically this year, reaching 4.6 percent of the Cypriot population. In every other EU country, this ratio is less than 1 percent.
According to data released by the Interior Ministry, the number of unregistered migrants entering largely from Turkey via the northern portion of Cyprus has increased by 48 percent in the last few months. Frontex will assist in the repatriation of unauthorised migrants, according to Nouris, by making agreements with the countries of origin and covering the costs.
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