Cypriots fear influx of Muslim migrants will threaten national identity (video)

A huge number of asylum seekers have arrived in Cyprus this year. Against this background, the country is afraid of losing face, Cypriots say that the very existence of Cyprus in its current form is threatened.

Massive influx of migrants, as writes euronews, was especially observed in winter, and A debate began in the country about how many foreigners Cyprus could accept without harming itself. As surveys show, Many fear that the influx of Muslim migrants will create security and socio-economic problems for them, but most importantly, it will threaten national identity and demography. Kokkinotrimithia Mayor Christakis Meletis says:

“The country's population is about 800 thousand people. If we have 250 thousand foreigners, then this is already 25-30% of the population. Let's assume that we cannot refuse to accept them because of the ongoing EU politics. This means that in ten years, taking into account wives and children, there will be more than a million migrants. We will turn into Lebanon. We want to remain Greek Cypriots in our homeland.”

The City Hall is located next to the center of Pournara, which receives people immediately after their arrival in the Republic of Cyprus. An 18-year-old asylum seeker from Yemen says:

“Every day we hear that someone we know has died. I left to find rights, peace and freedom. I have dreams. I have a future.”

After the initial sorting, those whose applications the authorities are ready to consider are moved to a second center located in the village of Kofinu in the south of the country. Now there are about 800 people there: they are provided with a roof over their heads, food, medical care and small pocket money. The centre is being expanded due to the recent massive influx of Syrians. At the same time, the authorities have suspended consideration of any asylum applications from Syrians for 14 months.

During the first 9 months of their stay in a new country, in accordance with the law, migrants do not have the right to get a job. They are expected to be ready to integrate into society… This, in many ways contradictory, requirement is difficult for the most vulnerable. Without a salary, without knowledge of the language and without the support of loved ones, they are drawn to charities. Director of the Cyprus organization Caritas Elizabeth Cassini explains:

“Everyone thinks that since most migrants have mobile phones, since there is a lot of information around, they are in the know. But this is not true, because smugglers or just people they meet sometimes give them incorrect information. For example, they say that if you have a child in Cyprus or in the EU in general, then he will automatically receive a residence permit or European citizenship. This is not true!”

The Orthodox Church of Cyprus is wary of migrants, accusing Turkey of trying to upset the country's demographic balance. The spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Georgios, says:

“Majority [просителей убежища] profess a different religion. This is detrimental to our society. We already have so many problems, we cannot burden ourselves with such a burden in the form of foreigners.”

Under pressure from the church, the far right, and growing social unrest the government is trying to increase the number of voluntary returns. According to Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, Cyprus is now the fourth EU country in terms of the number of trips of this type. But he hopes to go further. John says:

“We firmly believe that we must combat illegal immigration. In accordance with international law, only member states can decide who crosses their borders. Only they, not smugglers and not human traffickers.”

According to official figures, up to 96% of asylum applications are ultimately rejected.

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