Cyprus and Greece stressed the importance of fully implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the new Returns Regulation, during a visit to Nicosia on Monday by Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Athanasios Plevris, following an invitation by Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides.

After a tour along the ceasefire line in Nicosia, accompanied by Ioannides and Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, Plevris said Cyprus has “a particularly successful model” for migrant returns. He added that Greece has introduced new legislation in September aimed at reducing irregular arrivals and increasing returns, establishing “a very strict migration policy.”

Ioannides underlined that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union will place strong emphasis on the timely and comprehensive implementation of the EU Migration Pact. He noted that Cyprus recorded 11,000 returns of third-country nationals in 2024, and that the number of returns in 2025 has already surpassed last year’s figure. At the same time, irregular migration flows have dropped by about 89% compared with 2022, he said.

Earlier in the day, the two Ministers had a meeting at the Deputy Ministry, followed by broader consultations between the two delegations. They subsequently visited the graves of Greek Cypriots hung by the British colonial administration during the EOKA struggle between 1955-59.

Plevris said discussions focused on the migration challenges facing frontline states, the priorities of the Cypriot EU Presidency, and the need for effective implementation of both the Migration Pact and the Returns Regulation. Both countries, he said, continue to face migration pressures and seek further increases in returns.

He argued that Europe has undergone a shift in its migration policy direction, moving toward positions long advocated by Cyprus and Greece, namely for a more controlled migration. With the Cypriot Presidency, he said, the EU is expected to deliver the implementation of the Pact and the Returns Regulation, sending a “clear message” to smuggling networks that irregular migration will no longer be tolerated.

Plevris added that the months ahead present major challenges but expressed confidence that Cyprus, through its own achievements in migration management and in cooperation with other frontline states, would help steer Europe toward more decisive action.

Ioannides underlined the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, noting that beyond the historic ties shared by the two nations, there is substantial collaboration on migration policy. He stressed that the EU Migration Pact represents the first time the bloc has produced such a comprehensive and coherent framework for migration management across all member states. The Pact, he said, reflects the long-standing concerns of frontline countries such as Cyprus and Greece.

He also referred to the importance of the new Returns Regulation, noting that Cyprus has adopted measures over the past 2.5 years that have significantly increased returns. He also noted Greece’s recent steps to reduce flows and strengthen border controls. “We want to continue this cooperation at EU level, between member states and the European Commission, to deliver effective asylum systems” and send a strong message to smugglers that they will no longer determine who enters the EU, he said.

Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos highlighted the importance of showing visiting officials the ongoing consequences of the island’s division, while also presenting the city’s development potential.

He noted the significant improvement Cyprus has achieved in managing migration flows in recent years. The next phase, he added, involves identifying substandard living conditions for migrants and promoting proper integration of legally residing foreign nationals.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.