Nicosia: The new European Union strategy for internal security, immigration, and the accession of Cyprus into the Schengen zone were among the topics discussed during two meetings on Friday. European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, held these meetings in Nicosia with the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Minister for Migration.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis met with Commissioner Brunner as part of the EU official’s visits to European capitals to discuss issues related to the new EU strategy for internal security. The Minister emphasized the need for vigilance due to the unstable situation in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, which poses potential risks to the internal security of EU states. He highlighted the significant number of Syrians on the island of Cyprus and proposed the deployment of EU liaison officers to work with law enforcement authorities in Middle Eastern countries, suggesting Cyprus as a potential hosting base.
In response to a question from the EU Commissioner, the Minister revealed that the Ministry of Justice and the Police had devised a specific action plan to prepare Cyprus for its accession to the Schengen area. Commissioner Brunner assured continued support from the European Commission to help Cyprus complete its preparations for joining the Schengen zone.
The Austrian EU Commissioner also met with Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Dr. Nikolas Ioannidis. During their meeting, Ioannidis briefed the Commissioner on Cyprus’s management of immigration issues and the challenges it faces due to its strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean. They discussed the Green Line, which the European Commissioner had observed firsthand during his stay in Cyprus. The discussion included the need for adopting best practices for effective returns, in light of the amendment to the Returns Directive, and progress on implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The officials exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East and Syria and their potential impact on immigration to Europe. The European official was informed that over 1,000 Syrian nationals have withdrawn their asylum applications or revoked their international protection status to repatriate, with approximately 500 Syrians already having left Cyprus.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen zone is a top government priority, with all relevant services working diligently toward this goal. Brunner praised the Deputy Minister for Cyprus’s successful management of immigration, particularly regarding returns, and assured the European Commission’s readiness to support Cyprus in managing immigration and achieving Schengen accession.
Both sides stressed the importance of continued and strengthened cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the European Commission to more effectively address immigration issues within the EU, especially in light of Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.