The future Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU will be keen to support the negotiations - and in particular the first trilogues with the European Parliament - on the regulations concerning the return of illegal immigrants to the EU and the concepts of ‘safe third countries’ and ‘safe countries of origin’.
Other priorities will be the implementation of the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’ and continued reflection on ‘innovative solutions’ to reduce irregular arrivals, such as potential ‘safe places’ in third countries to shelter migrants rescued at sea (see EUROPE 13749/5). “Cyprus is generally interested in all types of innovative solutions”, the Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides told a group of journalists on Wednesday 19 November.
With regard to return centres or ‘hubs’ in third countries, which Cyprus favours as an instrument to be prepared at EU level, the minister said he hopes to arrive at a ‘roadmap’ laying down solid legal foundations for these arrangements, and in particular the way in which a Member State negotiating a ‘hub’ agreement with a third country could inform its European partners and possibly integrate them into this agreement.
But it is important for us that these discussions take place at European level, he continued, aware that many points remain to be defined, such as the location of these hubs and the public who would be affected by possible transfers to these hubs.
We would “like to have a clear document, a clear legal basis on how to conduct such negotiations, because the concept of ‘safe third countries’ will be our legal basis for the implementation of innovative ideas”, the deputy minister also said.
“We would like a robust and fair legal regime governing these activities, always in line with EU and international law”, he added.
The deputy minister will be responsible as well for “setting to music” the new ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’, which will come into force in mid-June 2026, and with it the new Solidarity Pool.
“We believe that the solidarity mechanism, the Solidarity Pool is an indispensable tool for all Member States, particularly for Member States like Cyprus. That's why we’ve asked for relocations. It’s quite important (and) not just about funding”.
The funding “is also useful and we would of course like to receive additional funding. But if a major refugee crisis erupts or if there is increased occupation, we will not be able to manage the influx of tens of thousands of migrants flowing into Cyprus on our own”.
The Cypriot Presidency will also seek to focus on the fight against smuggling networks. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)