Cyprus official comments on EU migration pact and return regulation

The Cypriot Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, issued a statement regarding the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the new Return Regulation. The Migration Pact, which began implementation on June 12, 2026, introduces stricter border controls, faster asylum processing, and solidarity mechanisms among member states. Additionally, the Return Regulation, which received political agreement on June 1, 2026, and was approved by the European Parliament on June 17, aims to expedite the repatriation of third-country nationals without legal status. Ioannides credited the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council for these developments. He noted that the Cypriot government has achieved a 90% reduction in irregular migration flows compared to 2022 and has facilitated the departure of approximately 35,000 individuals. The Deputy Minister thanked the staff of his ministry and the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU for their negotiation efforts. He emphasized that these achievements mark the beginning of a demanding implementation phase for the new European legal framework.