AS THE EU gears up to sign a tough immigration pact in October at the initiative of the French Presidency, Cyprus is still struggling to stem the seemingly endless flow of illegal immigrants across the buffer zone.
Cyprus is quite possibly the biggest magnet for entry into the EU for most illegal immigrants. The legal limbo in the north has made it a haven for human smugglers who channel a steady stream across the ceasefire line on a near daily basis.
More than 95 per cent of illegal immigrants are estimated to enter the government-controlled areas through the north. Every night Cypriot and British bases police remain on alert for the tip-off that will tell them another group is ready to make their way into the Republic through Dhekelia. The Sunday Mail sent a reporter to accompany police on one of these missions last week, and you can read his account of the painstaking work involved in today’s paper.
The ferry link between Syria and occupied Famagusta is one route to the north but distances between Cyprus and its neighbours are so small, many immigrants simply make it in fishing boats. And for those who have a choice, a short plane ride from Turkey to Ercan (Tymbou) airport is another easy option.
Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, addressing last month’s EU informal Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, welcomed the pact agreed in Cannes on July 7, and especially its reference to the principle of solidarity and the need to support member states which have to deal with increasing illegal immigrant numbers.
French Minister for Immigration Brice Hortefeux also spoke at the Cannes meeting about the immigration pressures faced by Cyprus, which he said was the member state with the most asylum applications per capita in the EU.
There are 60,000 third country nationals living legally in Cyprus, 50,000 Europeans (including Pontians) and around 50,000-60,000 illegals. The total represents some 22 per cent of the population compared to the EU average of ten per cent.
Sylikiotos told another conference in June. “We can’t continue with the northern member states judging us, telling us to implement policies and then leaving it to us to do. We are not against legal aid for asylum seekers but our legal system cannot support the numbers. We need help.”
So is Cyprus fighting a losing battle? On the night our reporter went to Dhekelia police had received intelligence on two groups of illegal immigrants, six from Uzbekistan and 34 Iraqis who had arrived by boat in the north. The night’s work turned up only two people.
