Filenews 6 March 2025
The new Entry/Exit System (EES), which includes biometric checks, is expected to be implemented from October 2025 at the external borders of the European Union, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicolas Ioannides said upon his arrival at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels.
Ioannides noted that the full alignment of all member states with the new system will take time, as its implementation will not start simultaneously in all states.
Proposals for the new return framework and visits by Syrian refugees
The Deputy Minister also referred to the European Commission's planned proposal for a new legal framework for the return of third-country nationals who do not have the right to stay in the EU. The Republic of Cyprus, he said, supports a comprehensive legal framework, but considers it necessary for member states to maintain a degree of flexibility to adapt return procedures to their own needs.
Referring to Syria, he stressed that Cyprus supports the rapid promotion of the country's recovery in order to create safe conditions for returns. He added that Nicosia agrees with the idea of "go and see" visits, i.e. allowing Syrian refugees to visit their areas of origin without losing their international protection status. However, it underlined the need to limit the duration and frequency of such visits to avoid abuses.
Replying to a question on the Commission's planned directive on returns and whether the EU should focus on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, Ioannides noted that existing legislation is not sufficient and that there is a need for a more comprehensive and effective return framework. He added that a majority of member states support the need for a new proposal and that discussion should begin.
