The migration phenomenon accompanies all modern European societies. In recent years, migration is an ongoing process that is linked to the endless effort to better manage mixed refugee and migration flows, protect external borders and a fair and effective asylum policy in the EU.  An integral part of the overall immigration policy for the EU and each of its Member States is the formulation of an integrated policy and measures to support the integration process of third-country nationals.

The European Union has faced a major challenge in 2015 and 2016, which led to the culmination of the migration and humanitarian crisis. By gradually controlling the intensity of migratory flows, the effective integration of migrants into European societies is one of the top priorities.

Cyprus during the immigration crisis was not particularly affected. However, since 2016, there has been a continuous increase in migration flows related to the closure of the Greek-Turkish land and sea border corridor. The island came under similar pressure in the period 2004-2009, immediately after joining the EU.

Especially in the years 2018 – 2019, Cyprus became the first EU member state by proportion of population to receive new asylum applications. This number is remarkable and creates multiple needs to strengthen the accession process.

It is essential for Cyprus to continue to make use of the financial resources of the Civil Registry and Migration Department for an effective integration that will increase under the new Financial Framework. This would strengthen the need for the European Union to act more consistently at the political level in the context of solidarity and of equal weight distribution. Therefore, the enforcement of reception policies and effective integration through a National Plan, will strengthen the political position of Cyprus within the EU.

• Atlas of Migration (pdf | EU Member States – Cyprus )
• Προσφυγικές Ροές στην Κύπρο – Στατιστικά Στοιχεία 2019
• Στατιστικά Στοιχεία UNHCR για ασυνόδευτα παιδιά