MEP says Cyprus’ endeavor to reassess Syrian areas as safe difficult
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Fabienne Keller said on Wednesday that Cyprus’ initiative to reassess the safety of certain areas of Syria to block asylum application examination is difficult due to Syria’s unstable situation.
Keller, the rapporteur for the border returns procedure proposal, stressed that returnees would face challenges, including those posed by Syria’s authoritarian leadership and the deteriorating economic conditions, making it hard for them to find job opportunities.
She called for finding ways to support Cyprus, especially that the Pournara Reception Centre, the country’s only center to host and register immigrants, suffers from dire conditions.
On April 13, Cyprus suspended processing all asylum applications for Syrian refugees as large numbers continued to arrive by sea, mainly from Lebanon
Moreover, Tomas Tobé, an MEP and the rapporteur for asylum and migration policy reform, urged EU member states to have a common position on Syria and address the migration crisis collectively.
Tobé also suggested a reassessment of the situation to allow the possibility of finding potential solutions.
On April 6, the Cypriot government said the European Union (EU) must help Cyprus address the unprecedented numbers of Syrian immigrants arriving from Lebanon.
Official figures indicate the rate of immigrants from Syria and Lebanon arriving to Cyprus by sea increased 355 percent, with 4,259 arriving in 2023 compared to 937 in 2022.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Syria remains the largest displacement crisis in the world with over 12 million Syrians displaced.