Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, has underlined the need for agreement on the Return Regulation during the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
Arriving at the 14 October meeting, he stated that all member states "agree that we need the Return Regulation", while also underlining the necessity for an effective and balanced approach.
"This is another important meeting where we will discuss an array of crucial matters. Emphasis will be placed on returns to Syria and negotiations with respect to the Return Regulation," Ioannides stressed.
"As regards Syria, Cyprus has been facilitating voluntary returns of Syrian nationals," he said. As of December 2024, he added, "around 4,000 Syrian nationals have left Cyprus and returned to Syria."
"At the same time, we support the return of third country nationals, including Syrians, that pose a threat to national security and public order," he noted.
The Deputy Minister placed particular emphasis on the importance of a comprehensive Return Regulation. "This instrument will complement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and advance the effective carrying out of third country nationals’ return. It is our aim to strike a balance between the need for a more stringent legal regime and flexibility for those member states, like Cyprus, that have developed an effective national return programme," he noted.
Regarding the upcoming Cypriot Presidency, Ioannides said that the country "will prioritise the implementation of the Pact and the adoption of the Return Regulation."
Tuesday's Council in Luxembourg marks the first high-level political debate on the new Common European System for Returns, and the 27 must tackle the thorny issue of how to ensure that people cannot simply move to another European country if they fail to secure a visa or apply for asylum.
In response to a question about the remaining disagreements surrounding the Return Regulation and how to overcome these divisions, including mutual recognition, Ioannides replied that «of course we're aware of the partial disagreements."
I think, he pointed out, "that everybody agrees that we need this regulation. We agree on the gist of the regulation."
So, he added, "we are ready to discuss some different formulas in order to overcome any obstacles, any disagreements. But I'm optimistic that we'll manage to move forward with the regulation."
The remaining items on the agenda for the Ministers of Migration and Home Affairs include migration, border security, and internal security.
On the margins of the Council, the Deputy Minister will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from various member states to exchange views on issues of common interest.
(Source: CNA)
