THE ASSOCIATION for Repatriates yesterday denied claims that the government was doing nothing to help returning Cypriots.
They were responding to the story of repatriate Andreas Gregory, who claimed the Republic of Cyprus was unwilling to recognise him as a citizen.
Gregory claimed the authorities had refused to issue him with a medical card because they consider him an ‘alien’, even though he was born in Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot family and is the owner of a refugee card.
But yesterday the Chairman of the Pancyprian Association for Repatriates, Andreas Chialoufas – a repatriate himself – was keen to point out that the government offers a lot of help to Cypriots returning from abroad.
“This man is not telling the truth, he is slandering Cyprus. And the one Ministry that always helps repatriates is the Health Ministry.”
According to Chialoufas, hundreds of repatriates approach the Association each year and the government offers a wide range of financial aids and help in general.
“Mr Gregory has never approached us for help since he arrived in Cyprus in 1998. The government gives us so much. As chairman of the Repatriates’ Association, I can say that 95 per cent of us are satisfied,” he insisted.
Chialoufas has headed the Association since he returned to Cyprus in 1977. There are offices in Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, Limassol and unoccupied Famagusta.
“On their return, our compatriots approach us and ask for our advice. In the past six or seven years we have managed to achieve a lot for repatriates: financial aid for the rent paid in the first year of their return, funding for children’s English school fees, classes created to teach the children Greek for free from the government.
“We managed through the Welfare Office to offer benefits to Cypriots whose income is low. The Health Office helps repatriates obtain medical cards for free in the first year of their return and after that they follow the same procedures as local Cypriots in order to have a permanent card issued.
“Repatriates can have all this and much, much more provided they have obtained a Cypriot identity card.”
An ID card can be obtained achieved within six months of returning to Cyprus, explained Chialoufas.
“I am positive that the Cypriot government and the relevant offices help repatriates in their fair and logical requests,” he concluded.
Another repatriate, who wished not to be named, called in to respond to the story. “Through a friend of mine, who knew which doors to knock on, I managed to obtain an ID card. Many people helped me and I would like to advise and help Mr Gregory.
Chialoufas is a friend of mine and he has helped me very much since I returned to Cyprus.”
