A decisive year for collective European Asylum practices lies ahead, as a new solidarity mechanism will be implemented June 12th, in the framework of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.
During a meeting in Brussels later today (Monday) of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, during which Immigration and International Protection deputy minister Nicholas Ioannides will take over from the Danish Presidency, ministers will look to reach a deal on the annual solidarity pool, the new mechanism which hopes to achieve a more just distribution of responsibility in the asylum sector.
On Migration and Asylum policies, the Council's Presidency will seek support from ministers on three EU legislative acts, namely the Returns Regulation, bringing faster, simpler and more effective return procedures throughout the EU, as well as an agreed meaning of a safe third country and a safe country of origin, that will also contribute towards faster return procedures.
Ioannides will present the Cyprus Presidency programme and priorities on migration and officially take over from Denmark. He will further hold bilateral contacts on the sidelines of the Council, which include talks with the Spanish Integration and Migration Minister, the deputy Interior Minister of France and the Interior Minister of Bulgaria.
On Wednesday, the Deputy Immigration Minister will represent Cyprus in the 2nd High Level Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, also holding additional contacts on the sidelines.