Dear Head of the IOM Office in Cyprus,
Dear colleques,
Ladies and gentlemen,

As you may all know, IOM has been successfully implementing the assisted voluntary returns and reintegration programme, known as AVRR, since 2016, after IOM succeeded in a Call for Proposals issued by the European Funds Unit, the Responsible Authority for the management of the funds allocated to Cyprus by the European Commission under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. The project that is running at the moment was then renewed for another 21 months on the 29th September, 2020.

AVRR programme includes, among others, two significant and very useful actions, which result in favor of the beneficiaries of the project: The first action involves the assisted voluntary return to the country of origin and the other involves the reintegration of the beneficiaries, that is the third country nationals, with the purpose of providing them the essential needs for a new beginning.

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that, during the last years, the Republic of Cyprus has faced tremendous challenges, due to the arrival of massive numbers of refugees and other third country nationals. The daily influx of migrants in Cyprus makes the provision of reception conditions a true challenge, since our country cannot accommodate such large and disproportionate number of those being able to handle, numbers of migrants.

At some point, a lot of these people, often after consultation offered through AVRR, realize that they would prefer to return back to their countries. Unfortunately, most of them cannot afford the travel expenses, while others hesitate to take such a decision due to the uncertainty of a future back home. The fact that the assisted voluntary returns and reintegration programme faces these two obstacles is the reason why it is truly useful and needed. Not only it provides a dignified return, but it also promotes the sustainable reintegration of migrants who wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin.

One of the main tasks of the project, is to recognize and address the specific needs of migrants in vulnerable situation and to inform them about the abovementioned opportunities provided by the programme. Reintegration assistance supports the returnees to make a fresh start and at the same time helps to minimize their vulnerability through the financial support provided, which contributes to their financial self-sufficiency and social stability.

Therefore, it is with a great pleasure that we have with us today partners who are involved in projects of reintegration and who can inform us first hand on the procedures that must be followed for a reintegration scheme to be successfully implemented, as well as on the sustainability this action can provide to the life of the returnee in the long term.

We would also like to hear about the challenges and the difficulties that the beneficiaries usually face, after their return to the country of origin. Suggestions on how to reduce or eliminate the obstacles, which affect negatively the repatriation and reintegration of the beneficiaries, are also welcome.
In closing, I would like to assure you that the European Funds Unit, as the Responsible Authority for the management of the funds allocated to Cyprus under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, as well as the European Union, which co-funds the project together with the Republic of Cyprus, share a great respect to the opportunity of a safe return of the third country nationals to their countries, especially when the return is accompanied by the perspective of a sustainable reintegration, securing a better and prospective future for the returnees and their families.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for your attention! I am positive that this event will be constructive for all the participants!