European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas on Saturday called on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot government to do more to stem migrant arrivals on the ethnically divided Mediterranean island. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Cypriot government in the north, while the Greek Cypriot government in the south is recognized by the international community. Although the whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, membership privileges are suspended in the Republic of Northern Cyprus due to the lack of recognition by Brussels. The Cypriot government says around 90% of migrants enter via Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north through a loosely regulated student visa system. Thousands of people then cross the UN buffer zone to seek asylum in the Greek Cypriot south.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 18, 2022 22:25 UTC