Cyprus has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting those entitled to international protection while maintaining what it described as a lawful, responsible and effective approach to managing migration challenges.
In a statement issued to mark World Refugee Day 2026, the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection said 20 June serves as a reminder of the international community’s responsibility towards people forced to flee their countries because of war, persecution, violence or serious human rights violations.
Reliable systems
The ministry noted that, amid continuing global instability, conflicts and humanitarian crises, the need for functional, fair and reliable international protection systems remains as important as ever.
“International protection is a fundamental obligation of states and must be implemented objectively and with full respect for the rule of law,” the statement said.
The ministry also highlighted Cyprus’s own experience of displacement following the 1974 Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation of part of the island, saying this historical experience informs the Republic’s approach to asylum and refugee issues.
It added that safeguarding the right to international protection reflects the Republic’s core values and forms part of a broader responsibility to ensure the proper functioning of the asylum system.
“The Republic of Cyprus remains firmly committed to a policy that combines the protection of those who genuinely qualify for international protection with legality, responsibility and the effective management of migration challenges,” the ministry said.
Improvements in the pipeline
According to the statement, the ministry is strengthening relevant mechanisms, improving procedures and promoting the timely and lawful examination of asylum applications, while taking into account Cyprus’s European obligations, operational requirements and the public interest.
The ministry also referred to the implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which came into force on 12 June 2026, describing it as a significant institutional development for the European Union and its member states.
It said the new framework is directly linked to the need for meaningful European solidarity, a fair sharing of responsibility and more effective procedures, particularly for member states on the frontline of migration pressures.
Marking World Refugee Day, the ministry reiterated Cyprus’s commitment to a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on international and European law, serving the principles of the rule of law, legality, human dignity and the public interest.
Source: CNA
