Brussels: The implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum was a focal point of discussion in the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in Brussels. On behalf of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, underscored the Pact as a significant milestone for European migration policy. He emphasized the transition from fragmented approaches to a coherent system of common rules, procedures, and obligations.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ioannides highlighted that the coming week marks a pivotal moment for the European Union. After years of negotiations and extensive preparation, the Pact will enter into application, signifying the culmination of efforts to address the shortcomings exposed by the 2015 migration crisis.
The Deputy Minister elaborated on the historical reliance on ad hoc solutions for migration management in Europe, which resulted in gaps and unequal responsibility distribution among Member States. He noted that the Pact aims to rectify this by having all Member States operate within a unified system, sharing responsibilities based on common rules and procedures.
Ioannides stated that the implementation of the Pact was a key priority for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. He mentioned the close cooperation with the Commission, EU agencies, and Member States to ensure the necessary preparations were coordinated.
In furtherance of the Pact's significance, Cyprus will host a ministerial conference next week to underscore the political importance of the new framework. Ioannides also noted that the Pact complements initiatives on legal migration pathways and emphasized the complex relationship between legal and irregular migration.
The Deputy Minister asserted that strengthening migration governance and reducing irregular arrivals can create conditions for more organized legal migration pathways. He stressed the need for solidarity among Member States, stating that it must be fair, credible, and tangible.
Finally, Ioannides concluded that the entry into application of the Pact marks the beginning of a new phase, which will be evaluated by its practical results rather than its legislative content alone.