The return of 24 illegal migrants to their home country was carried out within the framework of “voluntary return”, police said on Thursday.

A total of 24 third country nationals were repatriated on Wednesday through Larnaca airport.

Their return was carried out “in the context of the implementation of the policy of voluntary returns to their countries of origin”, police said.

The announcement added that the foreigners were found illegally staying in the republic and the court issued decisions for their return.

According to the European Commission, “voluntary return aims to ensure the humane, effective and sustainable return of irregular migrants.”

It is usually considered “more cost-effective than forced return, gives returnees real opportunities and takes into account their needs, expectations and prospects once returned”.

This strategy supports the “successful implementation of key components of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum…by facilitating swift voluntary returns of rejected asylum seekers at the external borders”.