Cyprus will lead important European Union talks. The goal is a strong plan for returning irregular migrants. Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides will guide these discussions. The EU wants better ways to manage asylum seekers. They also want more cooperation with other countries. Sometimes, trade deals can help with these agreements.
Cyprus is taking this lead because of its own problems. In 2022, many asylum seekers came to the island. Cyprus had the most asylum applications per person in the EU. Migration became a big political issue. This caused some social problems and protests. Some migrant workers and businesses were attacked. Because of this, Cyprus started a new migration plan in 2024. This plan focuses on helping people return home.
This new policy has worked well. Now, five times more people are leaving than arriving. Many of these returns are voluntary. Mr. Ioannides said, "Cyprus has a good returns program. Most returns are voluntary. We want a strong legal basis for other countries to use." Talks will start around March. They will include EU countries, the European Parliament, and the European Commission.
Cyprus wants to share its success. They hope to build agreement on a European plan. The main aim is a clear legal way to send back people whose asylum claims are refused. They also want new ideas for processing asylum requests. This includes centres outside Europe. This focus on returns fits the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact. This pact will start in mid-2026. It shows the EU is taking a firmer approach to migration.