The decrease in migration flows as a result of the measures taken by Cyprus government, provides the opportunity to the authorities to speed up the examinations of the pending applications which currently number 22,0000, Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection has said.

Speaking during a session on migration hosted by the Cyprus Forum, Ioannides said that Cyprus does not engage in pushbacks as it is a “law abiding state.”

In his address, Ioannides referred to the measures taken by the Cypriot authorities to reverse the increased inflow of irregular migrants, mainly Syrians, via Lebanon.

“The government of the Republic of Cyprus decided to temporarily suspend the examination of applications for international protection submitted by Syrian nationals,” he said noting that the suspension concerns the examination and not the submission of applications.

He also reiterated that Cyprus supports the commencement of an internal EU discussion concerning the overall stance of the Union vis a vis Syria.

Ioannides referred to the increased cooperation with the Lebanese authorities noting that “this approach has led to the cessation of departures of vessels carrying irregular migrants to Cyprus, to the exchange of information with the Lebanese authorities, with a view to identifying and arresting smugglers, as well as the collaboration on the surveillance of maritime borders.”

Moreover, Ioannides said these maritime patrols are held in the context of the international and humanitarian law, stating that “the fact that no search and rescue incidents have occurred since the commencement of the aforementioned patrols is a testament to this.”

“The reduced inflows over the last months provide us with an opportunity to expedite the examination of pending asylum applications 22,000 at the moment and to improve our infrastructure so as to ensure that humane conditions are provided for asylum seekers,” he went on to say.

On her part Maria Stylianou Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights said the need to respect and protect human rights is both complex and deeply human matter.

“One could also argue that this issue is a global challenge. And this challenge is ensuring that human rights are respected,” she added.