Greece freezes the asylum applications of 9,000 Syrians

The procedures for examining Syrian asylum applications have been frozen across Europe following the overthrow of the Assad regime.

Approximately 9,000 Syrian asylum seekers in Greece will have their application processes frozen after longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad was removed from power, according to a top government source, cited by Reuters.

So far, there has been no official announcement from the Greek government.

New landscape for the refugee crisis in Europe

Earlier, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer requested from Interior Minister Gerhard Karner the suspension of all asylum application procedures from Syrians due to the fall of the Assad regime.

On Monday, the German Migration and Refugee Agency imposed a freeze on decision-making on ongoing asylum procedures "until the situation" in the Arab country becomes clearer, announcing that it will "then" adapt its practice to the new situation.

In a statement, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the assessment of asylum applications submitted by Syrian refugees living in Germany will depend on developments in the war torn country following the overthrow of Assad.

Asylum seekers begin withdrawing applications in Cyprus

Following recent developments in their home country, Syrian nationals have begun withdrawing their pending asylum applications in Cyprus, with some also relinquishing their supplementary protection status.

On Monday alone, officials recorded 19 asylum application withdrawals and three reversals of supplementary protection status.

According to reliable sources, Syrians who arrived in the government-controlled areas in recent years and applied for asylum have started approaching the Asylum Service, which operates under the newly established Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, requesting to withdraw their applications.

Sources indicate that the government views this development positively and is prepared to assist with voluntary returns, potentially through the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme.

The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection is currently working intensively on the matter and closely monitoring developments in the Arab country.

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