Cyprus official addresses migration and maritime law at University of Nicosia

On Friday, October 9, 2026, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nikolas A. Ioannides, spoke at the University of Nicosia during a discussion titled “Energy, International and European Law: The New Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean and Greece-Cyprus Relations.” The event was organized by the SYNERGIA think tank as part of an academic course.

During the event, Ioannides reported that Cyprus has successfully reduced migration flows by 90% through various measures implemented in recent years. He emphasized the government's ongoing effort to balance human rights protections with national interests. The Minister also noted an increase in the number of returns and highlighted the importance of establishing a sustainable asylum system. Regarding the regional context, he discussed the 2015–2016 migration crisis and the subsequent European Union Migration and Asylum Pact, which entered into force in June 2026 to support frontline states like Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Ioannides also addressed geopolitical tensions, noting that while Turkey is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, it remains bound by its obligations, similar to non-signatories like Israel and Libya. He criticized Turkey’s claims in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, framing these issues within the broader scope of international law.