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[joe]

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Cyprus faced with flows of illegal immigrants, encouraged by Turkey


24/01/2007

Flows of illegal immigrants reach the Republic of Cyprus’ government controlled areas, a development that has been described by the Chief of the Cyprus Police, Charalambos Koulentis, as very serious.
Illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Syria, reach the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, via Turkey, Koulentis said, adding that these people cross over to the Cypriot government’s controlled areas from the demarcation line, dividing the government controlled areas with the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
“We face a huge problem of illegal migration. The major flow of illegal immigrants is taking place through Turkey. Ankara does not cooperate with the Republic of Cyprus on this issue, nor with the international community”, the Chief of Police said.
He added that the Cypriot Police are making every effort to stop the flow of illegal immigration and give the right signals to the international community especially the EU.
“We try with all our powers to combat the problem, because we are really faced here with a huge problem, which has consequences on society and economy”, he warned.
Koulentis was also asked whether the police are considering establishing a special police force to carry out patrols at the demarcation line, in order to combat illegal migration that is encouraged by Turkey.
“It is not easy. The demarcation line expands at 140 Kilometers. We do out utmost but this is hard work”, he said.
The Chief of Police noted that immediately after illegal entry into the occupied areas, illegal immigrants cross over to the government-controlled areas either seeking political asylum, or destroying their travel documents.
Turkey, a country aspiring to enter the EU, refuses to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

[LENA]

Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels

Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels“Since our accession to the EU, we have become more aware of and more focused on the contribution we can make to the Union’s policy and objectives and make our own strategic advantages available to EU policy,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Yiorgos Lillikas said in his speech on the Cyprus issue after the accession of Cyprus to the EU, at the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels. Mr Lillikas referred to Cyprus’ contribution during the recent Lebanon crisis in the evacuation of EU citizens from conflict zones, noting that this role highlighted Cyprus’ emerging strategic status in this turbulent region and emphasized a number of factors that could altogether enrich Cyprus’ importance in the area, from the fields of the economic and trade to the cultural, social and political spheres. “Its key contribution as a stable, European democracy in a volatile and strategic region is further underscored by its membership to the European Union with the Government participating in shaping the relevant European policy.” he added. The Foreign Minister pointed out that the accession of Cyprus to the EU, has contributed to the political, economic and military expansion of the Union towards the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus has become a bridge to the Middle East. The strategic importance of Cyprus as an alternative access to this area, instead of Turkey is becoming more and more apparent, he said. “Cyprus has proven to be the only reliable partner in promoting without hidden agendas and vested interests, a stable and secure Middle East, guaranteeing prosperity and cooperation in the area. This capacity is unfortunately perceived by the Turkish military as a threat to the extent that it neither wants to relinquish control of the part of Cyprus it occupies, nor does it want a unified Cyprus fully exploiting this capacity. Turkey looks at this positive perspective for the European policy and interest as a factor that diminishes Turkey’s strategic role, he said. Referring to the catalytic role the EU can play in the solution of the Cyprus problem Mr Lillikas, noted that some have had a tendency to see Cyprus in the EU as a burden upon the Union and have disregarded the positive contribution of the EU in defining the context and the nature of the settlement while unburdening the Cyprus problem of some of its most intractable components having mainly to do with its Cyprus-Turkey dimension. - 23.1.2007