The central axis of the Cyprus Presidency will be the full implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is expected to enter into force within 2026, according to the competent Deputy Minister, Nicolas Ioannides, who presented on Tuesday afternoon the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of migration before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament, in the context of the hearing of Ministers by MEPs on Tuesday afternoon.
"Preparations are in the final phase, with member states completing the legal, administrative and operational measures," Ioannides noted, adding that the Cyprus Presidency "will support the implementation of the Pact at all levels and facilitate dialogue and cooperation where needed."
At the same time, he announced to the MEPs that on the day of entry into force of the Pact, the Presidency will host a Ministerial Conference, highlighting the great political importance of this milestone for Cyprus.
Mr. Ioannidis put migration at the center of the political agenda of the Presidency, directly linking it to geopolitical instability, conflicts and global inequalities, stressing that "the European Union is at a turning point that requires unity, collective action and determination".
As he said, "Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time of acute geopolitical uncertainty", underlining that the ongoing conflicts and instability in many regions "increasingly affect both the external and internal security of the Union". In this environment, he added, "no country can face the challenges alone," as "our strength lies in our unity and our ability to act in a coordinated manner."
He placed particular emphasis on the issue of returns, which he described as "crucial for an effective and sustainable migration management system". As he said, the Cyprus Presidency will work intensively to complete the relevant legislative file, while regarding the new European regulation he stressed that "it ensures that non-cooperation can no longer be a means of avoiding removal" and "sends a clear message: those who do not have a legal right to stay in the territory of the Union will eventually be returned".
In the same context, he referred to the importance of the external dimension of migration policy and partnerships with third countries. "A strong external dimension is essential for the management of returns and migration in general," said the Deputy Minister, pointing out that the Presidency will promote "comprehensive partnerships based on the principle of 'more for more', strengthening development and local potential for dignified and sustainable outcomes".
At the same time, Mr. Ioannides welcomed the agreement on the Generalized System of Preferences regulation, stressing that it “introduces trade leverage and adds another strategic tool to strengthen cooperation with third countries on readmissions”.
Referring to the instrumentalization of migrants, Mr. Ioannides unequivocally condemned any relevant practice, stating that “the EU continues to face threats from third countries and hostile non-state actors that facilitate irregular migration flows to the Union”. Such actions, he said, “aim to destabilize the Union”, endangering public order and national security. As he underlined, “we remain firmly committed to protecting the territorial integrity and security of the Union and its Member States”.
At the same time, he highlighted as priorities judicial and police cooperation to combat human trafficking, strengthening border security, and the Union’s preparedness for crises. “Border security is essential for the protection of the Union and the integrity of the Schengen area,” he noted, while regarding civil protection and emergency response, he stressed that the Cyprus Presidency will seek progress in the negotiations on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and for strengthening European preparedness and resilience.
In closing, the Deputy Minister of Migration assured that the Cyprus Presidency “is ready to cooperate constructively with the European Parliament,” noting that only through coordinated action, solidarity and respect for international and European law can the Union effectively respond to the migratory and geopolitical challenges of the time.
CNA
