First Group of Asylum Seekers Gets Relocated From Cyprus to Germany
Under the EU solidarity mechanism which aims to relocate asylum seekers between the member states in order to ease the burden, a total of 48 asylum migrants have been taken in by Germany from Cyprus, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
Apart from the first group of asylum seekers that has already been taken in, Info Migrants explains that Germany has promised to relocate a total of 500 asylum seekers from Cyprus, meaning that eventually other groups will also be taken in.
The scheme for voluntary relocation of asylum seekers was set up in June this year and since then, Germany as well as other EU Member States have been actively participating.
Announcing the relocation of the first group of asylum seekers from Cyprus to Germany, the German Embassy in Nicosia said that the situation in Cyprus call for solidarity and stressed that it is of prime importance to show it through actions.
“The asylum situation in Cyprus requires European solidarity and fair burden sharing in the EU. Germany is taking the lead in this. For the Federal Government, it is urgent to show solidarity through action and against resistance and difficulties,” the German Embassy in Nicosia wrote on its official Twitter account.
The German ambassador Anke Schlimm also commented on the relocation. Ambassador Schlimm said that this is ‘only the beginning’, suggesting that the country will continue to take in eligible individuals to relieve the burden on Cyprus.
“I am convinced that the individuals who travel today and in the future owing to relocation will find a good new home in Germany. They will be an enrichment for Germany with their diligence, skills and experience,” ambassador Schlimm added.
According to Info Migrants, Cyprus has been registering a high number of asylum seekers, mainly from Afghanistan and Syria. Data show that last year Cyprus recorded the highest number of asylum seekers per capita.
Since the number of arrivals made by asylum seekers has been so high, Cyprus has repatriated almost 7,000 migrants from its territory so far this year.
Except for Cyprus, several other EU countries, including Greece, Spain, and Italy have also been receiving a high number of asylum seekers. Italy alone has registered around 100,000 arrivals of migrants who reached its territory illegally.
