Filenews 5 October 2025
The Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Dr. Nicolas A. Ioannides, participated on Thursday in the Cyprus Forum 2025, in a discussion on "Migration Policy: Challenges, Realism and Prospects for Cyprus and Europe".
In his speech, he highlighted the need for the proper implementation of the new European framework, which will enter into force in view of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026.
Referring to the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, he stressed: "With the new Pact we acquire a single management system, faster procedures and a framework of solidarity. Our effort during the Cyprus Presidency will be to ensure its implementation in practice." As he added, the Pact introduces for the first time solidarity and responsibility-sharing arrangements, clearer rules for the concept of "safe third countries" and encourages the strengthening of legal migration pathways to meet the needs of the labour market.
Regarding European support to frontline states, he noted that "the EU and international/EU law are not a panacea, but the binding framework, in which the Republic of Cyprus and all member states must move". At the same time, he underlined that Cyprus is closely monitoring the phenomena of smuggling in coordination with European partners, with an emphasis on prevention and protection of human life.
Regarding European solidarity, he said that since March 2023, more than 2,900 relocations of asylum seekers from Cyprus to other member states have taken place, describing this mechanism as "a tool that substantially relieves domestic infrastructure and offers movers more integration prospects".
Regarding the return policy, he noted that "in 2024, almost 11,000 departures of third-country nationals were recorded, while in the nine months of 2025 departures are already approaching 10,000". He also pointed to the rejection rate of applications for international protection, which amounts to about 95%, underlining that this reflects "the need to keep the system viable in order to provide protection to those who are actually entitled to it".
Regarding infrastructure, he presented the progress in the Lakes area of Larnaca, where the creation of a new Accommodation Center for asylum seekers and a pre-removal center next to it, with modern facilities, is being completed.
He made a special reference to accession, describing it as a "strategic priority with a clear roadmap". As he said, the National Strategy has been completed and will be put to public consultation before its submission to the Council of Ministers, with the aim of approval within November.
He clarified that more than 150,000 third-country nationals reside legally in Cyprus for study, work or family reasons, while the applicants and beneficiaries of international protection amount to just over 30,000.
Answering a question about the role of public interventions in reducing polarization, Mr. Ioannidis said: "We are investing in modern infrastructure and in a National Integration Strategy that reduces polarization and empowers those who reside legally, for the benefit of social cohesion and the economy."
In closing, he underlined that the Republic of Cyprus will consistently continue its policy of managing flows, protecting the borders, effectively examining applications and returns, as well as implementing targeted integration policies, so that – as he said – "legality is combined with social cohesion and European solidarity with administrative efficiency"
