Cyprus suspends processing asylum applications by Syrians
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Cypriot government suspended on Saturday processing all asylum applications by Syrians because large numbers of refugees from Syria continue to reach Cyprus by boat, primarily from Lebanon.
The Cypriot government said, in a statement, that there are ongoing efforts to get the European Union (EU) to redesignate some areas in Syria as safe zones to enable deportation operations.
Earlier this week, Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides visited Lebanon to appeal to the Lebanese authorities to stop departures of migrant-laden boats from their shores.
Some 2,140 people arrived by boat to Cyprus between Jan. 1 and April 4, most of them are Syrians departing from Lebanon, according to Cyprus Interior Ministry.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Syria remains the largest displacement crisis in the world with over 12 million Syrians displaced.
On Saturday, Denmark agreed with Cyprus on reevaluating certain areas in Syria as safe for potential return of Syrian refugees, seeking to form a unified stance on the issue in the EU.