In view of the ongoing Afghanistan crisis and concerns over a potential new wave of migration Nicosia has sent the message that Turkey is also behind a recent push of irregular migrants from Iraq to Lithuania through Byellorussia.
The message was sent through Interior Minister Nicos Nouris while addressing EU interior ministers who held late on Wednesday an online meeting to discuss a recent surge of illegal border crossings in Lithuania.
Nouris pointed out that Turkey is orchestrating migration for years now and that Cyprus has been a victim of this policy for years now.
He then repeated calls for EU border agency Frontex to take immediate action to prevent further rising numbers of irregular border crossings from Afghan migrants.
Increased patrols, he added, are mandatory to prevent the Turkish-held area of divided Cyprus from becoming the entry point into the European Union for Afghans fleeing their homeland now that the Taliban are in power.
Nouris also said Cyprus stands in solidarity with nations facing waves of illegal immigration that is being used against them politically.
