Cyprus official emphasizes implementation of new EU migration pact

During the Cyprus Forum in Nicosia on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nikolas Ioannidis, highlighted the critical need for the practical implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. He underscored that solidarity among member states is essential, particularly for nations facing high migration pressure like Cyprus.

Ioannidis noted that while the new legal framework is a significant development, its true success will depend on effective application and the provision of timely support. He confirmed that the European Commission has officially recognized Cyprus as a state under migration pressure, granting it access to the EU Solidarity Mechanism. The Republic of Cyprus has prioritized relocations as its primary form of support, which serves to complement the broader European migration architecture.

These developments follow years of sustained migration challenges for Cyprus, which have necessitated a more structured approach to burden-sharing. The minister emphasized that legal migration pathways must also be expanded to better align with the needs of the domestic labor market.