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Feb 4, 2026

Cyprus to Host Europol Scrutiny Group as Presidency Prioritises Border-Security Cooperation

Cyprus to Host Europol Scrutiny Group as Presidency Prioritises Border-Security Cooperation
The Cypriot Parliament will welcome lawmakers from all 27 EU member states on 4–5 February for the 18th meeting of the Europol Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG), the first major security gathering under Cyprus’ six-month EU Council Presidency. The JPSG oversees Europol’s work on cross-border crime, migrant smuggling and terrorism—areas directly linked to corporate travel risk and Schengen-area border integrity.

House Speaker Annita Demetriou and Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle will open the sessions in Nicosia’s Filoxenia Conference Centre. Agenda items include implementation of the new Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), information-sharing on irregular-migration routes through the Eastern Mediterranean and protection of critical digital infrastructure.

Cyprus to Host Europol Scrutiny Group as Presidency Prioritises Border-Security Cooperation


Travellers who need clarity on Cyprus visa policies or the upcoming ETIAS requirements can streamline preparations through VisaHQ, whose online portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) provides real-time entry updates, digital application tools and dedicated corporate account support—an efficient aid for mobility teams sending staff to Nicosia during the presidency.

For global-mobility professionals the meeting matters because Europol’s recommendations often shape airport-security protocols, passenger-data collection rules and carrier-liability regimes. With Cyprus pushing for full Schengen membership by year-end, delegates are expected to discuss pilot projects that would connect Larnaca and Paphos airports to the EU Entry/Exit System in 2027—potentially streamlining passport control for frequent business travellers.

The event will draw several hundred parliamentarians, security attachés and journalists, triggering temporary road closures around central Nicosia and prompting hotels to activate high-security procedures. Companies scheduling executive visits next week should adjust itineraries and anticipate heavier ID-screening at conference venues.
VisaHQ's expert visas and immigration team helps individuals and companies navigate global travel, work, and residency requirements. We handle document preparation, application filings, government agencies coordination, every aspect necessary to ensure fast, compliant, and stress-free approvals.
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