Cyprus Deputy Ministry launches 2026-29 integration strategy for migrants

Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nikolas Ioannidis, announced the new national integration strategy for 2026-2029 during an event organized by the Mediterranean Center for Migration and Asylum (MedMA). The strategy aims to move beyond basic asylum and return procedures by focusing on the social cohesion of legally residing migrants. Ioannidis emphasized that managing migration requires a comprehensive approach, as the Cypriot economy faces full employment with unemployment rates below 5%. The government is currently working with relevant ministries to simplify procedures for attracting legal foreign labor to address local economic needs. While acknowledging the intersection between demographic issues and migration, the Deputy Minister clarified that low birth rates should remain a distinct policy consideration from migration management. The state objective is to streamline legal migration processes to support national economic growth and stability. Authorities remain committed to managing irregular migration flows while simultaneously fostering an environment where legal residents can contribute to the labor market.