Nicosia: Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Thursday described the joint forced-return operation for third-country nationals, organised by the Republic of Cyprus on 26 August in cooperation with Frontex and with the participation of Greece and Bulgaria, as indicative of the substantial change that has taken place in the management of migration over the past three and a half years.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during a briefing for media representatives at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis reported that 17,438 irregular arrivals and 6,539 departures were recorded in 2022. He noted that for every 100 irregular arrivals, there were approximately 37 departures.
Since the Government took office, Letymbiotis explained, 20,508 irregular arrivals and 36,922 departures were recorded up to the end of August 2026. Today, there are 180 departures for every 100 irregular arrivals, he emphasized.
The change is also reflected in other key indicators, Letymbiotis highlighted, noting that irregular arrivals during the first half of 2026 were down by 92% compared with the corresponding period in 2022, while pending asylum applications had fallen from approximately 24,000 to fewer than 13,000.
From the beginning of 2026 until 26 August alone, 6,027 returns were carried out, Letymbiotis stated, adding that since December 2024, almost 5,500 Syrian asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection have returned to their homeland. He noted that the picture is clear: fewer irregular arrivals, more returns, and a substantial easing of pressure on the asylum system. Cyprus, which only a few years ago was on the front line of disproportionate migratory pressure, is now in a position to organise joint European return operations itself, in cooperation with Frontex, he said.
This change, Letymbiotis pointed out, was the result of a coherent policy based on enhanced surveillance, faster processing of applications, increased voluntary and forced returns, bilateral agreements, and active migration diplomacy. He concluded by stating that the policy remains consistent and balanced, referring to effective control of irregular migration and full respect for international and European obligations towards those who are genuinely entitled to protection.