The assessment process regarding Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area is not on the agenda of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) on October 1 and 2 in Luxembourg, a European official said during a briefing for reporters on Tuesday.
Ministers will begin on Thursday with a discussion on the overall situation in the Schengen Area, based on the Commission’s regular report, which will be presented orally. This will be followed by an exchange of views, including on the priorities for the 2026–2027 Schengen cycle, with an emphasis on strengthening information sharing and leveraging technological advancements for security. In this context, Spain is expected to provide a brief update on the migration situation in Ceuta.
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When asked by CNA whether the July report on Cyprus would be discussed and whether any technical issues remain outstanding, the official replied that there is “full awareness of the ongoing work toward Cyprus’s accession to Schengen, but it is not on the JHA Council’s agenda this time,” without adding anything further on the matter.
Part of the discussion on Schengen will also concern entry visas for Russian citizens, following the incident at Leipzig Airport in August. Berlin attributed the planned drone attack to Russian actors, identifying as the main suspects a Belarusian and a Russian national with ties to the Russian military intelligence service (GRU). Regarding visas, the official noted that the 21st sanctions package provides a basis for restrictions on issuing visas to combatants and former combatants, but further work is needed on operational implementation, which has already begun. Some member states have also adopted a stricter approach to short-stay and tourist visas, as well as restrictions on the movement of diplomats within the Schengen Area.
Regarding migration, there will be an exchange of views on improving the return of persons who do not have the right to remain in the EU, while the focus will be on enhanced cooperation on readmission with priority third countries, in view of the entry into force of the Return Regulation. In addition, a discussion is expected to take place on enhancing awareness of the migration situation and early warning capabilities, including during times of crisis.
This will be followed by a briefing from the Commission—a summary rather than a full analysis—on the implementation of the Pact on Asylum and Migration, which has been in effect for just over three months. No discussion on return centers is planned, as the official noted that the implementation of the “hubs” concept is a matter for the Member States concerned. However, the regulation on returns is expected to enter into force in the first weeks of November.
Furthermore, any discussions about broadening the response beyond the “instrumentalization” of migration are in the early stages, but according to the official, several member states are interested in an emergency framework for unforeseen influxes. Regarding a possible opinion from the Council’s Legal Service, he noted that there is not yet a proposal to seek an opinion, but legal soundness and compliance with international law will be a key part of the assessment.
Thursday’s agenda also includes the EU’s semi-annual assessment by the current Presidency regarding challenges to the EU’s internal security and the impact of the currentpolitical environment, as well as a discussion on the European drug strategy, focusing on combating drug-related intimidation and violence.
As for Friday’s Justice Council meeting, the revision of the mandate of Eurojust, the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, will be discussed. As the official explained to the press, this is an open discussion so that ministers can provide guidance; work has already begun at the working group level, and issues such as governance are of particular importance.
The Council of Ministers is expected to issue conclusions on combating racism and related forms of hatred and discrimination, with an exchange of views in the presence of the Executive Director of the Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Source: CNA
