Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Dr. Nicholas Ioannides, is to participate in the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs) which will take place on Tuesday in Luxembourg. Returns to Syria and a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU are on the agenda, according to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry.
During the meeting, it said, the Ministers ‘will exchange views on a draft law on the establishment of a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU’. It is noted that the proposed legislation, which is currently being discussed among Member States at expert level, includes, among other things, common procedures for issuing return decisions, clear rules on forced returns and stronger obligations for returnees to cooperate with national authorities.
‘The discussion during the working lunch will focus on the external dimension of migration and, on returns to Syria, in particular,’ it said, adding that the Deputy Minister will present Cyprus’ position ‘in favour of the returns of Syrian nationals’.
On sidelines of the Council, Ioannides is to hold bilateral meetings with Belgium’s Minister of Asylum, Migration, Integration and Urban policy, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, with Switzerland’s Minister of Justice, Police, Federal Councillor, Beat Jans, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Asylum and Migration of the Netherlands, David van Weel, and with Sweden’s Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell.
In the context of preparations for Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Deputy Minister is to hold several meetings on Wednesday with members of the European Parliament.