Nicosia: Deputy Minister of Migration, Nicholas A. Ioannides, underscored the importance of EU unity at the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs in Nicosia. "United we can counter any difficulty, united we are always stronger," Ioannides remarked, emphasizing that minor disagreements should not detract from achieving the EU's fundamental goals.
According to Cyprus News Agency, this meeting is the first informal gathering of EU Ministers under the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council scheduled for 2026. The discussions, set to conclude on Friday, primarily address returns policies and migrant integration. Ioannides highlighted that Nicosia is the only EU capital under military occupation, representing resilience and hope.
Ioannides reiterated Cyprus's deep-rooted European identity and pride in being part of the EU, a cooperation venture based on mutual trust and respect for the rule of law. He noted that Cyprus, due to its history of Turkish occupation since 1974, values peace and stability. He also extended condolences to Spain's Minister of Home Affairs for lives lost in a tragic train accident in Spain.
Earlier, Ioannides and Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fitiris stressed the importance of a comprehensive EU framework for returns and safeguarding Schengen security. Ioannides reaffirmed Cyprus's commitment to implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum cohesively. He indicated that negotiations focus on facilitating the return of third-country nationals without EU stay rights, with insights from IOM and Frontex.
Ioannides addressed questions about secondary movements from Cyprus, noting the island's geographical constraints. He confirmed that Schengen remains a government priority, awaiting a Commission report after technical inspections. Ioannides clarified the Green Line regulation, reinforcing it as a legal framework for checks, not a border.
Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004, with the Green Line Regulation defining the legal framework for crossing the island's divided areas. Fitiris emphasized discussions on safeguarding Schengen by preventing secondary movements, highlighting the importance of trust and cooperation.
European Commissioner Magnus Brunner mentioned that the Cyprus Presidency could leverage recent migration policy developments. He noted the significance of the returns regulation discussion in the Parliament and the focus on Frontex regulation.
IOM Director General Amy E. Pope addressed Syria's volatile situation, emphasizing the need for willing returnees and foreign assistance. Belgium's Anneleen Van Bossuyt and Luxembourg's L©on Gloden underlined the importance of returns and reintegration in migration policy. Greece's Athanasios Plevris stressed returns and deportations as central issues, with discussions on a returns center outside the EU.
Cyprus has been divided since Turkey's 1974 invasion, with UN-led peace talks yet to resolve the situation, the last being in Crans-Montana in 2017.