The Ministry of Interior announced that on Monday 48 applicants for international protection were relocated from Cyprus to Germany, through a pilot programme of voluntary relocation, within the framework of the EU’s voluntary solidarity mechanism.
The relocation is the first one, with others to follow in the next months and was the result of the cooperation of the Asylum Service of the Ministry of Interior, the European Asylum Service, the European Commission, the International Organization for Migration and the German authorities.
The European Commission is working closely with Member States, the European Asylum Service and the International Organization for Migration in order to coordinate the implementation of the voluntary solidarity mechanism, the Ministry says in its statement.
Germany has accepted the relocation of 500 applicants, with the first 48 being transferred on Monday. In this way, it contributes to addressing the migration challenges faced by the Mediterranean countries, with particular emphasis on Cyprus, which, according to the Ministry, is the first country in applications for international protection in the Union per capita.
Relocations are supported by funding from the European Commission, at the request of the Member States, with the assistance of the European Asylum Service and the International Organization for Migration. Relocation activities are 100% funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
Source: Cyprus News Agency