"Today is a milestone for our country" said the Minister of the Interior, Constantinos Ioannou, on Thursday, welcoming the approval of the bill for the establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Migration, which lays the foundations for a more effective management of the migration issue. The bill was approved earlier on Thursday by the Plenary of the House of Representatives, in the presence of the Interior Minister.

"Bringing together the services under the roof of a single Deputy Ministry will have substantial and practical benefits in terms of planning, coordination and supervision of the competent state services. We expect that the improved outlook, as a result of the targeted measures implemented during the last year, will be further strengthened with the operation of the new Deputy Ministry," says Ioannou in his statement.

The decrease in arrivals, especially when it comes to nationals of African countries through the Green Line, but also the large increase in returns, have reversed the negative image and now Cyprus ranks first among the 27 member states of the European Union in the percentage of departures on arrivals, he adds.

He also says that migration is a complex issue with international dimensions, which is influenced by external factors that require constant vigilance and preparedness.

"Undoubtedly, the targeted policy of the Government will continue with the same gravity and determination, with the contribution and guidance of the European family", he notes, while finally wishing every success to the Deputy Minister who will take over the reins of the Deputy Ministry and his team, in the difficult task ahead.

The establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Immigration, for which the House of Representatives voted in favor today, marks an extremely important milestone for the - even more - efficient management of the immigration issue in Cyprus, says Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis in a post on his account on "X" platform.

He also notes that "in the last 12 months, many steps forward have been made with tangible results, ranking Cyprus first among the 27 EU member states in terms of the departure to arrival ratio."