Brussels: The priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of migration were presented on Tuesday afternoon by Cyprus' Deputy Minister for Migration, Nicolas Ioannides, before the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), during the hearing of ministers by Members of the European Parliament. Ioannides placed migration at the center of the Presidency's political agenda, directly linking it to geopolitical instability, ongoing conflicts, and global inequalities, stressing that 'the European Union is at a crossroads that calls for unity, collective action and determination.'
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Cyprus assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time of acute geopolitical uncertainty, underlining that ongoing conflicts and instability across multiple regions are increasingly affecting both the external and internal security of the Union. In this environment, he added, no country can tackle these challenges on its own, as our strength lies in our unity and in our ability to act in a concerted manner.
A central pillar of the Cyprus Presidency will be the full implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is expected to enter into force in 2026. Preparations are in the final phase, with Member States completing the necessary legal, administrative, and operational measures, he said, adding that the Presidency will support the implementation of the Pact at all levels and facilitate dialogue and cooperation wherever needed.
The Deputy Minister announced to MEPs that on the day the Pact enters into force, the Presidency will host a ministerial conference, highlighting the strong political significance of this milestone for Cyprus. Particular emphasis was placed on the issue of returns, which Ioannides described as decisive for an effective and sustainable migration management system.
Cyprus Presidency will work intensively to conclude the pending legislative file, while stressing that the new European regulation ensures that non-cooperation can no longer be used as a means to avoid removal and sends a clear message: those who do not have a legal right to remain on the territory of the Union will ultimately be returned.
In the same context, Ioannides referred to the importance of the external dimension of EU migration policy and partnerships with third countries. A strong external dimension is indispensable for managing returns and migration in general, the Deputy Minister said, noting that the Presidency will promote comprehensive partnerships based on a 'more for more' approach, supporting development and strengthening local capacities to deliver dignified and sustainable outcomes.
Ioannides also welcomed the agreement on the regulation of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, stressing that it introduces trade leverage and adds another strategic tool to enhance third-country cooperation on readmission. Referring to the instrumentalization of migrants, Mr. Ioannides strongly condemned any such practice, stating that the EU continues to face threats from third countries and hostile non-state actors that facilitate irregular migration movements towards the Union.
Such actions, he said, aim to destabilize the Union, putting public order and national security at risk. As he underlined, we remain firmly committed to protecting the territorial integrity and security of the Union and its Member States. He also highlighted as priorities judicial and police cooperation to combat human smuggling and trafficking, the strengthening of border security, and the Union's preparedness to respond to crises.
Border security is essential for the protection of the Union and the integrity of the Schengen area, he noted, while on civil protection and emergency response he stressed that Cyprus Presidency will seek progress in negotiations on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and on strengthening European preparedness and resilience.
In closing, the Deputy Minister for Migration assured that the Presidency stands ready to engage constructively with the European Parliament, stressing that only through coordinated action, solidarity, and full respect for international and European law can the Union effectively respond to today's migration and geopolitical challenges.