Cyprus could take a decisive step toward joining the Schengen area as early as this spring, with the European Commission set to adopt its Schengen evaluation report in the coming months, as European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner told the Cyprus News Agency.

In an interview with CNA, he confirmed that Cyprus has made “significant progress” on all outstanding technical requirements, shifting the focus to a political decision by the Council once readiness is formally confirmed.

The Commissioner underlined that the Commission “fully supports Cyprus’ efforts to join the Schengen area” and is working closely with the Cypriot authorities to help achieve this goal. Schengen, he said, remains one of the EU’s most tangible achievements, delivering freedom of movement while boosting tourism, trade and daily life across the Union.

“The Commission will adopt the Cyprus Schengen evaluation report in spring, and once technical readiness is confirmed, it will be for the Council to take a unanimous decision on accession”, he said.

Illegal border crossings down by more than a half

The positive Schengen signal comes as the European Union prepares to move from legislation to full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum in June 2026. Brunner described 2025 as “a very good year for migration and asylum policy in the EU,” noting that illegal border crossings are down by more than half since 2023.

“Not only are illegal border crossings down by more than half since 2023, we have also advanced on the implementation of the Pact on Asylum and Migration and adopted new measures that complement the Pact in record time,” he said. Among the new tools are the safe third country concept and a common safe country of origin list, aimed at reducing pressure on national asylum systems and streamlining procedures across the bloc.

While acknowledging that the EU’s 27 member states face different challenges, Brunner stressed that there is “strong commitment to the implementation of the Pact” and that the Union is on a good path for the entry into force in June 2026.

To ensure uniform application, he said, the Commission is working closely with all member states through country-specific teams providing technical expertise, as well as operational and financial support via EU agencies and the EU budget. Cyprus, he said, is receiving €290 million in EU support for the period 2021–2027, while the EU Asylum Agency and Frontex are also assisting on the ground.

Against the backdrop of continued instability in the Middle East and shifting migration routes in the Eastern Mediterranean, Brunner said the EU’s priority is “to bring illegal arrival numbers down and keep them down,” while remaining vigilant across all routes.

“To support this, the EU is investing in “migration diplomacy”, we are working on comprehensive partnerships with third countries, fighting the root causes of illegal migration and supporting the countries along the entire migratory route”, he said.

He added that the EU is also intensifying efforts against migrant smuggling, including through the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling hosted in December, which aimed to strengthen global coordination and dismantle smuggling networks while protecting vulnerable people.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya remains a particular concern. As the Commissioner said the EU is engaging with relevant stakeholders there to reduce illegal departures and “break the business model of migrant smugglers.” In contrast, he said, the Middle East requires a different approach, with the EU prioritising broader stability.

The EU, Brunner noted, is the region’s largest donor.

“Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, we have seen many developments. Over 3 million Syrians have returned home from the surrounding areas or within Syria”, he noted.

The Commission’s objective, he said, is to stabilise the country, arguing that “the best way to ensure that Syrians return home is to focus on improving life in Syria.” Plans include a new political partnership, dialogue channels, lifting sanctions, access to the EU internal market and financial support of around €620 million for 2026 and 2027.

Returns policy remains one of the most politically sensitive issues in the EU. Brunner said effective returns are “an essential part of a credible and effective asylum system.” While the return rate rose to around 27% in 2025, he acknowledged this is “clearly not sufficient.”

As he said, in 2026, the Commission will focus on strengthening the common framework through a new Return Regulation designed to make procedures faster, more consistent and legally robust. At the same time, he added that cooperation on returns will be embedded in broader partnerships with third countries, linking visa policy, trade and development aid.

“A common EU approach makes a lot of sense in these areas, as our voice carries much further when carried as one,” he said, noting that smaller member states such as Cyprus stand to benefit directly from this collective leverage.

EU must restore public confidence in border control, says Commissioner

Addressing concerns about democratic resilience and rising political polarisation in Europe, Brunner said citizens have “very legitimate” concerns about migration and security.

“We need to give people back the feeling that we are in control over what happens at our borders, and in our societies,” he said, stressing that this is “not about left or right,” but about putting in place a system that works.

He argued that abuses of asylum systems can no longer be tolerated, saying that outdated legal tools from the early 2000s have allowed some to exploit the system, even committing crimes. Reforms, he said, are aimed at ensuring control lies with European institutions, not migrant smugglers and human traffickers.

Next week, the Commission will present a new five-year Strategy on Migration and Asylum, setting out this approach.

“The priority for Europe is clear: bringing arrival numbers down and keeping them down,” Brunner said, pointing to Frontex data showing that illegal border crossings have fallen by a further 26%, bringing the total reduction to 55% since 2023.

Cyprus shows strong migration results as it takes EU Council Presidency

As Cyprus assumed the EU Council Presidency, Brunner described cooperation with the Cypriot authorities as “very good,” saying preparatory work is already well advanced.

Cyprus, he noted, has delivered tangible results. In 2025, irregular border crossings into the country fell by 62% compared with the previous year, while the return rate reached around 60%, well above the EU average. On this basis, he said, Cyprus is well placed during its Presidency to help drive political progress on key justice and home affairs files, particularly the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and returns policy.