EU covers 70% of Cyprus migration costs, minister tells MPs

Economy European UnionmigrationTop News EU covers 70% of Cyprus migration costs, minister tells MPs People At The Pournara Migrant Reception Centre. January 14. Mattpress George Christophorou Relevant News Trump’s gifts to the occupying power 9 July 2026 EU covers 70% of Cyprus migration costs, minister tells MPs 9 July 2026 Attilas and Nazis doing their patriotic ‘duty’ 9 July 2026 newsroom 9 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The EU covers 70% of Cyprus’s migration-related expenses, Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum Dr. Nicholas A. Ioannides told the House Interior Committee today. He also said 200,000 foreign nationals are currently legally resident in Cyprus, and that a 90% drop in migrants from sub-Saharan Africa was observed, which he attributed to those migrants having believed they were heading to central Europe. Ioannides said asylum seeker arrivals fell by 92% in the first half of 2026 compared with 2022. He said around 35,000 third-country nationals have departed since the start of the current government, while 5,200 nationals have left voluntarily since the change of regime in Syria. He said pending asylum applications have also fallen sharply, from 35,000 three years ago to 13,500 now, a drop of 86%. Ioannides gave particular attention to the refugee law within the framework of the recently adopted migration pact, saying the central aim is to turn migration flows from a problem into a solution. He said the message sent to the EU is that Cyprus will grant protection to those entitled to it while safeguarding its borders. What is the new EU migration pact? The pact referred to by Ioannides, the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact, took effect across the bloc on 12 June 2026 after a two-year transition period, compelling member states to share the cost and effort of hosting migrants more evenly while reforming EU asylum and border security procedures. The Commission has described the reform as a “fair and firm” overhaul that strengthens external borders while balancing solidarity with responsibility. It has faced sustained criticism from rights groups, however: Human Rights Watch has said the pact makes it easier for governments to rush asylum decisions, limits safeguards during processing, and increases the use and length of detention, while the European Council on Refugees and Exiles has said it restricts access to asylum and lowers fundamental rights guarantees. Separately, Cyprus is among the states the European Commission has identified as under migratory pressure and eligible for support from the EU’s solidarity pool. Read more: Asylum arrivals in Cyprus down 92% since 2022, minister says Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Trump’s gifts to the occupying power Attilas and Nazis doing their patriotic ‘duty’ Asylum arrivals in Cyprus down 92% since 2022, minister says Parliament to decide on who gets to certify lifeguards Christodoulides pushes for EU-Lebanon strategic agreement in talks with Lebanese foreign minister Christodoulides speaks with EU chiefs after Turkey dinner, Cyprus link stressed Resolution on 1974 sexual violence ensures victims are heard, MEP says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.