Migrant arrivals down, returns up, through government actions, President says

Through the actions of the government we have managed to reduce migrant arrivals and increase returns, reversing the negative balance that existed in recent years, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday evening, adding that from the outset of this administration a specific strategy is being implemented so that Cyprus is no longer considered as an attractive destination.

In his address at the inauguration of the Cultural Centre at Anglisides village, in Larnaca district, the President said that he is aware of the challenges faced by Anglisides Community and the region in general, arising from the operation of migrant shelters.

‘We are currently working to address these challenges and take advantage of opportunities for the benefit of local people,’ he said.

For this reason, he continued, both the requests of the people from Anglisides and the rest of the communities have been recorded, adding that the aim is to include them in a special development plan for the wider a
rea, which will include, among other things, upgrading the road network, strengthening school units, increasing security measures, creating public leisure areas and upgraded housing design.

Referring to the general issue of migration, President Christodoulides said that from the first day of assuming the responsibility of governing the country, a specific strategy is being implemented ‘so that our country is no longer considered as an attractive destination.’

The results, he continued, ‘confirm our policy was sound’, expressing satisfaction because, as he explained, in conversations he had with residents of this and other areas, they have told him that the results of this policy are visible.

Source: Cyprus News Agency