Cyprus is moving forward with a series of reforms on asylum, refugee and migration policy, as the country prepares for the implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides said the reforms include changes to screening and asylum procedures, as well as the establishment of an independent national monitoring mechanism for fundamental rights.
The reforms are being introduced ahead of the EU Pact’s entry into force on June 12, 2026, alongside a new Refugee Law expected to be approved by Parliament.
Focus on faster procedures and border controls
Speaking at a conference organised by the Nicosia Bar Association on migration and the jurisdiction of the International Protection Court, Ioannides stressed the need for timely institutional and operational adaptation.
He said the new EU framework places emphasis on stricter border controls and faster procedures, while maintaining respect for human rights.
Authorities, he added, must ensure the correct implementation of these new mechanisms to guarantee both efficiency and compliance with legal standards.
Role of courts and legal protections
At the same conference, the President of the Administrative Court of International Protection, Margarita Papantoniou, addressed issues relating to the court’s jurisdiction.
She highlighted relevant case law and stressed the importance of ensuring effective judicial protection for asylum seekers within the evolving legal framework.
Digitalisation and migration management
Ioannides also pointed to ongoing efforts to streamline legal migration processes, with a focus on simplification and digitalisation.
These changes aim to better serve both citizens and the needs of the economy, while improving administrative efficiency. The Deputy Minister reiterated that the government is taking measures to address illegal migration and will not tolerate a return to past incidents of disorder.
He underlined that the reforms seek to balance effective migration management with the protection of fundamental rights.
Source: CNA