Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Nikolas A. Ioannidis, traveled to Brussels yesterday to take part in the first political trilogue on the proposed EU Returns Regulation.
The draft measure aims to increase the return of third‑country nationals who have no legal right to remain in the European Union and to curb abuse of the bloc’s asylum system.
The trilogue — an informal negotiation between the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission — is scheduled for today, following the Parliament’s vote on its common position.
Cyprus is participating in the talks on behalf of the Council as the country holding the rotating EU presidency.
The Deputy Ministry said it is closely monitoring developments and is actively involved in shaping what it described as a strong and effective legal tool to reinforce the EU’s common returns framework.
Ioannidis is expected to return to Cyprus later tonight.