Cyprus to pay Syrian asylum seekers to return home
Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides said the financial incentives, beginning next month, would be for a voluntary return to Syria for families seeking asylum or those with international protection.
He told reporters the scheme was being launched in coordination with the European Union. EU member Cyprus is one of the largest receivers of Syrian migrants per capita.
Ioannides noted that Syria was "undergoing a critical transitional period" after Bashar Al Assad's ouster in December.
"The success of the reconstruction depends on political will, international cooperation, and, most importantly, the active involvement of the Syrian people themselves," he said.
Officials in Cyprus say 2,500 Syrians have withdrawn asylum applications or renounced their protection status, and around 2,400 have returned home.
The repatriation scheme allows one person per family or couple to receive a special residence and work permit valid for two years.
Returning family members will receive 2,000 euros ($2,270) for the spouse and 1,000 euros per child.
The scheme will operate from June 2 to August 31.
Cyprus granted asylum to thousands of Syrians who fled the civil war there that began in 2011.
The eastern Mediterranean island is less than 200 kilometres from the Syrian and Lebanese coasts, and has long been a route for refugees seeking a better life in Europe.
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The National
2 minutes ago
- The National
I lost my brother in the Beirut port explosion. Where is the justice?
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At dawn, we resumed the search, until we eventually found him in the morgue at Rafik Hariri University Hospital. We were forced to bury him without even a final goodbye. Not seeing his face one last time is a pain that words cannot describe. The explosion resulted from the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, with a nitrogen grade of 33.5 per cent. This had been stocked illegally under the supervision of high-level security officials, and with the full knowledge of five different security agencies, despite the danger it posed and in violation of Lebanese law. This clearly suggests a deep level of corruption. It is difficult to assign liability with certainty at this stage. But, in breaking the relevant laws and regulations, a crime was certainly committed. Therefore, legal responsibility must be established for all those implicated in the events that led to the explosion. 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All these actions and obstructions reflect a pattern in Lebanon, in which political officials and influential figures have grown accustomed to impunity and the absence of legal scrutiny. The political war over Judge Bitar's probe has also produced threats against him personally and violence on the streets. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed party and militant group, together with Amal – a political ally led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri – has allegedly been trying to push the judge out since his appointment. However, the investigator's determination to move the case forward led to the issuance of a legal analysis on January 25, 2023. This, Judge Bitar stated, gave him the authority to resume his work on the Beirut port explosion case. He had been suspended from the investigation since December 23, 2021, amid legal disputes and intense political pressure. Upon resuming his duties, Judge Bitar brought charges against several senior officials, including Lebanon's top public prosecutor, Ghassan Oweidat. In response, Mr Oweidat reversed his prior recusal – a move widely regarded by experts as lacking legal basis or unlawful – and charged Judge Bitar with 'usurping power', summoning him for questioning. He also imposed a travel ban on Judge Bitar and ordered the release of all 17 detainees connected to the blast, leaving one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history without a single suspect in custody. Under Lebanese law, the authority to decide on the release or continued detention of individuals lies with the investigating judge, not the public prosecutor. 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The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Middle East businesses brace for higher costs after Trump announces new tariffs
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Middle East Eye
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Slovenia becomes first EU country to impose arms embargo on Israel
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