in-cyprus 19 January 2025 - by Xenia Tourki
One of the most significant challenges facing the new European Commission is migration management. For many, it’s an issue without a solution, or at least without easy solutions, yet it ranks very high among Europeans’ priorities, who place security at the centre of their concerns.
The challenges are enormous, as the European Union must strike a balance between effectively protecting its borders, stopping the entry of people who have no right to be there, while simultaneously protecting those in need and not depriving its economy of valuable workers.
This is why Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner’s visit to Cyprus demonstrates the importance of this issue for the European Union and the role our country can play. The European Commissioner visited Greece and Cyprus last week and discussed critical priorities in migration, border management, and internal security. “Cyprus as a Member State of first reception has managed many arrivals – the Commission is determined to support the Cypriot authorities in protecting external borders and managing migration,” he emphasised.
In his interview, Magnus Brunner focused on Cyprus’s role as a first-reception member state that has managed many migrant and refugee arrivals. He underlined the European Commission’s commitment to supporting Cypriot authorities in protecting external borders and managing migration, and spoke about the need for further cooperation between European institutions, not only with Nicosia but with all member states.
The challenges are immense, and many of them are right next door, such as the evolving situation in Syria. Assad’s removal is seen as a positive development, however, the situation remains far from one that would allow millions of Syrian refugees to return to their country. “Forced return is not possible until there is further confirmation and clarity on the conditions in Syria, which are still in flux,” he noted.
What are the new European Commission’s current priorities regarding migration? What do you consider to be the most pressing migration challenges currently facing the EU?
From my perspective, the priority on migration should be to instil confidence among people that we have control over what happens in Europe. To achieve this, we need to manage migration in a fair and firm way and coordinating our actions at European level. What this means is that we need to have clear rules about who can enter, stay in and who has to leave the EU. And also, how we can work together to solve our common challenges. Cyprus as a Member State of first reception has managed many arrivals – the Commission is determined to support the Cypriot authorities in protecting external borders and managing migration.
How will the EU manage any increase in migration flows from Syria? Will it attempt an agreement like the one it was signed with Turkey or Lebanon?
We are closely monitoring the situation in the border areas and on the ground. For now, the situation is still quite volatile. Since the fall of the Assad regime, we see opportunities but also risks. While the transfer of power was peaceful, we still know little about the direction and approach of the new actors. This makes it difficult to draw conclusions about what this means for Syrians residing in the Member States and the region. We are seeing movements of people to and from Syria and indeed a number of people who want to, finally, go back home if it is safe to do so. At the moment, we are focusing our efforts on supporting these voluntary returns, as these provide an opportunity for Syrians to rebuild their country.
These agreements have faced significant criticism and many consider them ineffective, accusing the EU of throwing money into a bottomless barrel. Is it time come for new ideas and more effective solutions?
It is still too early to speak about comprehensive agreements that include migration management provisions with Syria. But in general, agreements with third countries have a huge role to play to help stop dangerous journeys and to prevent the loss of lives. Comprehensive partnerships also provide us with the opportunity to fight the root causes of migration. We have seen that comprehensive partnerships with third countries work, as demonstrated in the Central Mediterranean, where irregular crossings fell by 60%. Finally, I agree with your statement that we need to look towards new ways to enforce the provisions in our partnerships, such as making better use of the power of our visa policy or by providing new ways to bring skills and talent to Europe that we need to support our economy.
In many member states, the discussion about the return of Syrian refugees and asylum seekers has already begun. Do you believe that Syria is a safe destination? And if we consider it to be, in what way will the returns be carried out?
I would go further than to say a discussion has begun. Several Member States have even seen celebrations among the Syrian diaspora. To me, this speaks for putting a focus on voluntary return as a first step. This may be attractive for many Syrians, as they now have the opportunity to rebuild their country. However, let me clarify that for now, forced return is not possible until there is further confirmation and clarity on the conditions in Syria, which are still in flux. It is important that we follow the advice and remain in close cooperation with UNHCR and other international organisations on this point. We have constantly been in contact with Member States and international organisations, and we will continue to work closely together. This is also what I discussed with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kombos.
The EU Migration Pact was signed a year ago. Where do we stand regarding its implementation today?
The Pact on Migration and Asylum is a huge milestone to improve migration management in the European Union. With it, we have an excellent foundation to have common answers to common challenges. Such as having quicker asylum procedures at the borders and finding a way to share the responsibility of new arrivals. Concerning implementation, we are currently receiving the Member State’s national Plans, which we are analysing closely. At the moment, we are discussing – and this is something I spoke about with my colleagues here in Cyprus – where we can do things faster. We also spoke about some unfinished tasks that we need to complement the Pact – such as returns. Nobody understands why people that have no right to stay in the EU are not returned. This we have to address both by improving our procedures at home and working on readmission abroad.
How do you evaluate Cyprus’s contribution to European migration policy? Should anything change, and what policies should be implemented?
I did not travel to Cyprus to lecture anyone on what has to be done but to hear the valuable input and insight of my experienced colleagues here in Nicosia. I held very productive meetings with the Minister of Justice and Public Order Hartsiotis, the Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Ioannidis on best practices for effective returns, the progress on implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, preparedness of the reception system in Cyprus, as well as upcoming migration management priorities, including reception of unaccompanied minors and ongoing work on the Pournara First Reception Centre.
Cyprus received assistance last year from the EU to manage migration flows from the occupied areas. Now the flows have decreased. Will the same happen with the assistance?
The decrease in migration flows is the result of our common efforts and show that our policies are taking effect. The Commission is committed to supporting Cyprus in its pivotal role in managing migration flows and my visit is part of the constant exchanges the Commission has with the Cypriot authorities at all levels to assess and reassess the needs on the ground as they change and evolve.
The rise of far-right parties is largely due to their anti-immigration policies. Is this rise a proof of the failure of European migration policy?
What people rightfully expect from us as European leaders is the ability to address the challenges we face. To be honest, managing the migration crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and war in Europe has been incredibly demanding. However, this is precisely why we need to focus on solutions. This is why we engage in discussions with Member States and the European Parliament. Ultimately, we must find European solutions to European problems. This is exactly what we achieved with the Pact on Migration and Asylum. It stands as a strong example of what we can accomplish when we work together, and it is clear proof that the European Union is capable of addressing even the most complex challenges effectively.
Far-right parties are already influencing the migration policies of their countries. Will the next step be to see changes in European policy as well?
If there is one constant in politics it is change. On a European level, we are working with all constructive forces within the European Parliament. It is key to listen to people’s concerns and pursue serious policies that provide solutions for these concerns. We need to work together as Commission, Member States and Parliament to deliver.
