Brussels: Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides took part in the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council proceedings held on Monday. During the discussions, Ioannides thanked the Danish Presidency for its cooperation and outlined the upcoming Cyprus Presidency’s work programme on migration. He emphasized the importance of strong external borders, the timely implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, and the continuation of legislative work.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ioannides informed his counterparts of the upcoming meetings, including the informal JHA Ministers’ meeting in Nicosia from January 21-23, and the JHA Councils scheduled for March and June in Brussels and Luxembourg respectively. Additionally, an informal ministerial meeting on June 12 in Nicosia will discuss the entry into force of the Migration and Asylum Pact, followed by the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting on June 25-26, also in Nicosia. Ioannides concluded by expressing his e
agerness to welcome his counterparts to Cyprus.
Earlier, ministers from the 27 Member States reached a consensus on three legislative proposals: revising the ‘safe third country’ concept, adopting a European list of ‘safe countries of origin,’ and the Returns Regulation. These proposals aim to streamline the processing of international protection applications and expedite returns. The reform allows Member States to reject applications as inadmissible and facilitates the return of applicants through simplified procedures. The new European list accelerates procedures for applicants from countries without a generalized risk of persecution, marking significant progress in implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact.
On the sidelines of the Council, Ioannides held bilateral meetings with Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, French Deputy Interior Minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, and Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior, Daniel Mitov. They exchanged views on common interests, and Ioan
nides briefed them on the Cyprus Presidency’s work programme within his portfolio.