Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation on migration, border security and regional stability during high-level meetings in Nicosia on Tuesday.
US Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Strategy, Policy and Planning Rob Law also discussed Cyprus’ progress towards joining the US Visa Waiver Programme during his visit.
Meetings in Nicosia
Law met Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides on Tuesday, following separate talks with Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki on Monday.
According to the Deputy Ministry, the meetings confirmed the “high level of relations” between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States, as well as a shared determination to strengthen cooperation in addressing common security challenges.
Migration and border management
The discussions focused on managing migration flows, improving asylum and return procedures, and tackling criminal smuggling networks.
The two sides also considered the use of modern technological tools to strengthen interoperability among services involved in migration and border management. Officials exchanged views on expanding cooperation through the sharing of expertise between Cypriot and American authorities.
Ioannides briefed the US delegation on Cyprus’ migration strategy, outlining measures to protect the island’s borders, accelerate the examination of asylum applications, return people without a legal right to remain, and strengthen legal migration channels.
Regional role
Ioannides highlighted Cyprus’ role as “a pillar of stability” in the region and as a “reliable partner” of the United States in “a region facing heightened geopolitical and migration pressures”.
Law congratulated Cyprus on the “excellent results” achieved through its migration policy and recognised work carried out during Cyprus’ EU Council presidency in the field of migration.
