INTERVIEW: No Iran migration crisis yet, Cyprus minister says | Euractiv | Iran-Gulf Crisis

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INTERVIEW: No Iran migration crisis yet, Cyprus minister says No signs of an influx “at this stage”, Nicholas Ioannides told Euractiv Fears of a new refugee wave triggered by the Iran conflict are “normal” but premature, Nicholas Ioannides, Cyprus’s deputy migration minister, said, as the EU races to lock in tougher asylum and return rules before summer. The Cypriot minister, who is now chairing meetings of European ministers, struck a cautious note over alarm that the Middle East war would trigger a new surge of asylum seekers to Europe. “There are no signs of flows from Iran at this stage,” Ioannides told Euractiv’s newsletter Rapporteur, noting that past regional wars, including the Iran-Iraq conflict, failed to generate large-scale migration toward the EU. Displacement, he said, tends to remain internal or limited to neighbouring countries. Recent data from the International Organisation for Migration broadly supports that assessment, showing that most people fleeing Iran move to the nearby area. Cyprus, which took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in January, finds itself steering migration talks at a fraught moment. The bloc approved in February a proposal to ease deportations to so-called “safe third countries” and another to establish a common EU list of “safe countries of origin,” enabling authorities to fast-track and frequently reject asylum claims. At the same time, negotiations on the revised returns regulation are underway among the EU institutions. For Cyprus – the EU’s easternmost frontline state – geopolitical instability is a familiar reality, Ioannides said. “Unfortunately, our neighbourhood is very volatile… Every time an armed conflict erupts in the region, we are getting ready… to deal with possible migratory flows.” That volatility hit close to home in March, when Iranian drones targeted British bases on the island, causing disruption and highlighting the region’s fragility. EU meetings in Cyprus resume after security concerns, minister says EU Council meetings due to take place in Cyprus will go ahead as planned after… 1 min Elsewhere in Europe, capitals are taking fewer chances. In a letter ahead of the EU leaders’ summit in March, Italy and Denmark urged the European Commission to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, calling for emergency measures if arrivals spike. Ioannides called such concerns “normal,” but argued the EU is now better equipped, pointing to stronger legal frameworks, upgraded infrastructure and clearer procedures ahead of the migration pact’s rollout in June. “There are legal tools already in place… in order to deal with crisis situations,” he said, referencing provisions such as Article 15 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which allows for temporary derogations in emergencies, while stressing Cyprus is not proposing to use them. Despite political turbulence in the European Parliament, including a recent controversy over coordination between centre-right and far-right lawmakers, Ioannides insisted negotiations remain on track. “I wouldn’t say that [it has hindered talks],” he said. “There’s a widespread agreement that this file should be concluded.” EU capitals are pushing to finalise the returns regulation quickly, he added, with Cyprus aiming to wrap up the so-called trilogue negotiations, between the Commission, the Council and MEPs, before the end of its presidency in June – the same month the migration pact is set to begin implementation. “Our effort is to have a sound legal basis, always bearing in mind the protection of human rights,” Ioannides said. Returns On returns of failed asylum seekers, he downplayed divisions between EU institutions, saying differences between the Parliament and the Council are limited. But the thorniest questions lie beyond Brussels, particularly on cooperation with third countries. Discussions are ongoing over returns and cooperation with countries like Syria and Libya, where political and logistical obstacles remain significant due to the situation on the ground. Brussels have discussed both voluntary and forced returns to Syria, according to documents seen by Euractiv, with a particular focus on individuals deemed a “security risk” or convicted criminals with no legal right to remain in the EU. “I think there has been substantial progress,” Ioannides said, pointing also to talks on Lebanon and Libya. “The majority of member states are keen to adopt measures to improve the situation.” Still, he acknowledged returns to Syria would be gradual at best, requiring coordination among EU countries and agreement with authorities on the ground. “We’ve never said that there will be a massive return to Syria,” he said. “It will be a gradual process.” Efforts to engage Libya have also proven difficult. Last year, a delegation by EU and member state officials, including migration commissioner Magnus Brunner, was abruptly scrapped after the delegation was declared persona non grata upon arrival in Benghazi. “It is very important to keep an open channel of communication with Libya,” Ioannides said. “Both Libyas.” (bw, mm)

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Nicoletta IontaBy Nicoletta Ionta

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US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap

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Advertisement US-Iran peace deal US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Peace Deal News Live Updates: US-Iran diplomacy gained momentum after a marathon round of talks in Switzerland produced what mediators Pakistan and Qatar described as a roadmap for a final agreement within 60 days.

US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country and work on mechanisms covering frozen Iranian assets, regional ceasefires and the Strait of Hormuz. Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week, while technical teams will remain engaged even after Iran's top negotiators returned to Tehran following 18 hours of intensive negotiations.

The talks also established a communication channel to help ensure safe commercial shipping through Strait of Hormuz and a mechanism aimed at preventing renewed fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remained visible.

Iran had briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, accusing the United States of failing to uphold commitments to halt fighting in Lebanon. However, mediators said discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday in a trip expected to focus on bilateral cooperation and follow-up discussions on Islamabad's mediation efforts. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon largely held, marking the longest lull in violence in three months of conflict.

Lebanese officials reported near-total adherence to the truce despite isolated incidents, while Israeli leaders insisted any final agreement must ensure Iran cannot use future financial relief to support military activities or regional proxy groups.

Follow IndiaToday.in for the latest updates....Read More Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to arrive in Pakistan on a one-day visit on Tuesday. (File Photo: Press TV) 2 Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Deal: Iranian President to visit Pakistan Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make a one-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, Iranian officials said.

Habib Abbasi, director-general of public relations at the presidential office, said the trip will focus on implementing previous agreements and exploring new trade opportunities. Pezeshkian is also expected to "express appreciation" for Pakistan's role in mediating between Iran and the United States, according to Tasnim news agency.

Jun 22, 2026 19:14 IST US-Iran Deal: Here's what happened so far - US Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran made significant progress, with Tehran agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors, establish mechanisms for handling frozen assets and support efforts to manage regional ceasefires.

- Speaking after negotiations in Switzerland, Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week and confirmed that technical talks would continue in the coming days and weeks. - Iran’s senior negotiating team departed Switzerland for Tehran after 18 hours of intensive discussions, while technical experts remained behind to continue work on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

- Pakistan and Qatar, which mediated the talks, said Washington and Tehran agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days and described the first round of negotiations as encouraging. - The two sides also agreed to establish a mechanism to help prevent clashes in Lebanon and create a communications channel to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.

- The talks followed an interim agreement reached last week and continued despite renewed tensions after President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran and Tehran warned Washington over its rhetoric. - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Tuesday for a one-day trip.

Iranian officials said he would discuss bilateral cooperation and express appreciation for Islamabad’s role in facilitating US-Iran diplomacy. - A ceasefire in Lebanon largely held on Monday, marking the longest period of relative calm in nearly three months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, although isolated incidents were still reported.

- Lebanese security officials said adherence to the ceasefire had been "almost total" since Saturday evening, despite reports of limited Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and drone flights over Beirut. - The conflict in Lebanon has remained a major test for the interim US-Iran agreement, with Tehran previously accusing Washington of failing to ensure an end to hostilities and briefly reimposing restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

- Vance said progress had also been made toward reducing tensions in Lebanon, while negotiators worked to establish safeguards aimed at preventing future escalation. - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development programme under the broader diplomatic framework.

- Oil prices, which surged after tensions disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, fell further after the latest round of talks, easing concerns about global supply disruptions. - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the negotiations as constructive and said the first round of talks had concluded successfully, laying the groundwork for a broader peace agreement.

- Israeli officials signalled support for a diplomatic resolution but stressed that any final deal must ensure Iran cannot use financial relief or released assets to fund military activities or regional proxy groups.

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INTERVIEW: No Iran migration crisis yet, Cyprus minister says | Euractiv

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