Cyprus takes all measures in relation to immigrants and refugees, assured Sunday Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos, invited to comment on the issue of terrorism and the actions of the Cyprus Republic.
The Minister said that everyone should be concerned after the terrorist attacks in France and that measures should be taken and everyone should be alert in relation to terrorism.
“In Cyprus, all measures are taken in the sense that the state departments work together, the Police, the Security Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior that have the responsibility in relation to foreigners, refugees or economic immigrants” he said.
That way, he added, the Republic is able to offer its hospitality on the one hand and on the other hand to make sure that people of Cyprus feel secure.
Hasikos also said that there is cooperation with other countries too, in order to identify potential terrorists among the refugees.
Asked to comment on the decision of the European Commission to grant €3 billion to Turkey for refugees with €3 million to be the amount attributed to Cyprus, the Interior Minister said that the EU has no choice but to give money to Turkey, that hosts over 2 million refugees.
He said however, that the Commission also supports other transit countries such as Italy and Greece as well as Cyprus. Hasikos said that the Commission has already provided Cyprus with €1 million for hosting 300 refugees.