Brussels: Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Dr Nicholas A. Ioannides, is set to visit Brussels for a working engagement, where he will meet with EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner. This visit is part of the preparations for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will commence in January 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Dr Ioannides will engage in a private meeting with Commissioner Brunner on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. The meeting’s primary objective is to coordinate the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and address issues related to the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
During his Brussels visit, Dr Ioannides will also participate in the Cyprus Forum Brussels, hosted at the European Parliament. He is expected to deliver a keynote speech in a debate titled ‘Migration: Implementing the Pact on Asylum and Migration’. This session will explore the significance of the Pact as a step towards a more unified European approach to migration, emphasizing Cyprus’s experiences as a frontline state facing considerable migratory pressures. The discussion will also cover the challenges of unequal burden-sharing among EU Member States and introduce new tools from the Pact, focusing on enhancing solidarity.
In addition, the Deputy Minister will attend an information breakfast with EU-accredited journalists, where he will outline the migration priorities for the Cyprus Presidency, as noted in the press release.