Cyprus advances asylum law amendments to align with new EU pact

The Cyprus Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs has completed its review of a new asylum bill, moving it to the plenary session for a vote. Deputy Minister of Migration, Nikolas Ioannidis, stated that the legislation is essential for aligning the Republic of Cyprus with the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. The pact is scheduled to come into force on June 12, 2026, and Cyprus is required to have its national implementing legislation ready by that date. The proposed law introduces stricter border controls and accelerated processing for asylum applications. These measures aim to create a cohesive framework that enables the European Union to manage migration flows more effectively. Despite the ongoing pre-election period and the impending dissolution of parliament, the committee proceeded with the review. The bill seeks to ensure that the Republic of Cyprus meets its commitments well ahead of the 2026 deadline. The discussions were described as constructive by the Deputy Minister.