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

Summary

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)