Nicosia: Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicolas A. Ioannides, conducted several significant bilateral meetings with senior officials from international organizations and European Union member states during the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council in Nicosia on January 22 and 23.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere, with gratitude expressed towards the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU for the invitation to the Informal JHA Council.
On January 22, Deputy Minister Ioannides met with Assistant High Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, and Director of the Regional Office for Europe, Philippe Leclerc. They reached a common understanding on the necessity to stabilize Syria, focusing on rebuilding the nation and restoring its economy and infrastructure. Discussions highlighted the cooperation between the Deputy Ministry and the UNHCR to aid the return of Syrian nationals from Cyprus to Syria, ensuring their reintegration.
The same day, he met with the Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope. The meeting acknowledged Cyprus's successful voluntary return program (AVR), with IOM offering assistance in returning foreigners to their countries, including Syria. They discussed ways to tackle migration exploitation by third countries and the importance of combating migrant smuggling, emphasizing expanded cooperation with North Africa and the Middle East.
On January 23, the Deputy Minister conferred with Bulgaria's Minister of the Interior, Daniel Mitov. This meeting reaffirmed Cyprus and Bulgaria's excellent relations and Bulgaria's support for Cyprus's Schengen Area ambitions. They discussed Cyprus's efforts to combat illegal immigration, focusing on Green Line regulations and cooperation between the asylum services of the two nations.
Additionally, a meeting with Nina Gregori, Executive Director of the EU Agency for Asylum, took place. The Deputy Minister expressed gratitude for the Agency's support and emphasized continued cooperation, especially concerning the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. Discussions included upgrading the "Pournara" First Reception Center to expedite procedures, highlighting the effective collaboration between Cyprus's Asylum Service and Police, which led to a significant decrease in migration flows and an increase in returns over the past two years.