EU | Calls for reduction in illegal immigration flows through the occupied territories
Defence Redefined
10/07/2022
The European Union (EU) has asked the pseudo-state in occupied Cyprus to step up measures aimed at reducing the growing number of immigrants seeking asylum in the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the Associated Press agency, an official said (on 8/7) that the EU “explained its concerns” on the matter and that the occupying regime “must do whatever is necessary” to limit the arrivals of immigrants.
According to the Cypriot government authorities, the vast majority of immigrant arrivals take place via Turkey and Cyprus’ occupied territories through a loosely regulated student visa system. The Cypriot Ministry of Interior has again accused Turkey (on 8/7) of “systematically exploiting economic immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa”.
The EU wants Turkish-Cypriot “authorities” to step up vetting procedures for issuing such visas to prevent applicants from using them to reach occupied northern Cyprus, cross the UN-controlled zone and then seek asylum in the Republic of Cyprus. Although Turkish-Cypriots receive EU funding, only the Republic of Cyprus enjoys the benefits of full membership.
The Ministry of Interior of Cyprus reports that the number of asylum seekers in the first half of this year reached 12.000 – equal to the number for the whole of the previous year. It says asylum seekers make up the EU’s highest proportion, 5% of Cyprus’ 915.000 inhabitants in the free zones.
Occupation leader, Ersin Tatar, said that he had proposed the establishment of a joint UN-facilitated commission of officials from both sides responsible for finding ways to curb irregular immigration as well as “strengthening security and surveillance along the dead zone and the increase in patrols by the port police.”
Tatar insisted, among other things, that the only way to move forward with a peace agreement in Cyprus is for “the Turkish-Cypriots to obtain equal sovereign status” with the Cypriot government and “to agree to a two-state solution”.
Also read: Repatriation of 2469 immigrants residing illegally in Cyprus for the first half of 2022
READ MORE
Deloitte | Cyberwarfare and Artificial Intelligence at BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024
At the recent BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024 conference, Mr Yiannis Ioannides -Partner and Cyber Leader at Deloitte Cyprus- delivered a compelling presentation…
CERIDES | 1st Planning Conference of the UCPM DEMONAX – Cyprus Earthquake Full-Scale Exercise
CERIDES – Centre of Excellence in Risk and Decision Sciences of European University Cyprus had a strong presence during the 1st Planning…
RECENTLY
LRSO | The US Air Force’s New Nuclear Strike Cruise Missile
The United States Air Force (USAF) has recently released concept art of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) advanced stealth cruise missile, which will incorporate the W80-4 thermonuclear warhead.
Denmark | Strengthening Its Air Defence with NASAMS, VL MICA and IRIS-T SLM Systems
Denmark has decided to bolster its air defence by acquiring ground-based short-range missile systems of the NASAMS type, as well as the VL MICA and IRIS-T SLM systems.
AI Fight Club | Lockheed Martin Seeks the Most “Lethal” Artificial Intelligence Systems for the Battlefield
In a notable initiative, Lockheed Martin is aiming to accelerate the full-scale development of artificial intelligence (AI) in operational settings through the creation of a virtual…
France | Renault to Produce Drones in Ukraine
French car manufacturer Renault is set to establish facilities in Ukraine for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), intended to…
Venus Aerospace | Completion of Historic U.S. Hypersonic Engine Flight Test
Venus Aerospace, a Houston-based startup pioneering the future of high-speed flight, announced the successful completion of the first U.S. flight test of…
BAE Systems | Launch of $250 Million State-of-the-Art Shiplift and Land Level Ship Repair Facility in Jacksonville
BAE Systems has unveiled its new shiplift and land level repair complex during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Jacksonville, Florida.