ON APRIL 23 IN THE PLENARY, THE BILL ON ASYLUM 'OF FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE' SAYS IOANNIDIS - Filenews 15/4
The bill on the Refugee Law is being brought to the Plenary Session of the Parliament on April 23, after the completion of its examination by the Parliamentary Committee on Interior. As stated, the bill is considered of fundamental importance, as the aim is the full harmonization of the Republic of Cyprus with the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, before its entry into force in June 2026.
The Deputy Minister of Migration, Nikolas Ioannidis, described the discussion as very constructive, stressing the importance of the legislation. As he stated, "the legislation is very critical, it is of fundamental importance, as it incorporates into the Cypriot legal order the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which comes into force on 12/06/2026".
He stressed that the Republic of Cyprus must be ready by then to implement the new framework, noting that "therefore the Republic of Cyprus should be ready by June 12 to implement this agreement with its own implementing law". At the same time, he thanked the Interior Committee for the cooperation, pointing out that although the legislation is quite large and during the pre-election period, today they were here, they showed responsibility and now the bill will be taken to the Plenary Session of the Parliament for a vote.
Analyzing the content of the bill, the Deputy Minister noted that it provides, among other things, for stricter border controls, faster asylum procedures and in general a comprehensive, unified and coherent framework for migration, so that the European Union can respond effectively and not be caught by surprise, as happened 10 years ago.
He also stressed that the new framework is of particular importance for Cyprus as a frontline state, stating that it will help avoid mass flows and allow for the acceleration of asylum procedures and an increase in returns.
Reference was also made to the issue of funding, with Mr. Ioannidis pointing out that more than 60% of the cost of migration is co-financed by the European Union, while the upgrade and construction of the accommodation centers is co-financed by 90-100%. At the same time, he noted that Cyprus will benefit from the solidarity mechanism, with relocations of asylum seekers to other member states, financial support and technical assistance from the European Commission.
On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee, AKEL MP Aristos Damianou, stated that the bill, which numbers about 250 pages, was examined in two long sessions, adding that the article-by-article discussion has been completed and that, in consultation with the Speaker of the Parliament, it will be brought to the Plenary on the day of self-dissolution on April 23.
"It concerns the revision of the entire package on migration, asylum and the refugee issue. So there are binding regulations at the level of the European Union and we examined its implementation in the Republic of Cyprus," he said.
For his part, DIPA-Cooperation MP Giorgos Penintaex said that the legislation creates the necessary legal framework for the implementation of European regulations, adding that member states do not have a discretion to deviate, but must proceed with their implementation at national level.
At the same time, he pointed out that the adoption of the law is also linked to European funding of €190 million for the management of migration, expressing the assessment that the bill will be approved by the Plenary Session so that it can be implemented within the stipulated deadlines.
