Greece and Cyprus, alongside Spain and Italy, have been pronounced the primary beneficiaries of the European Union’s new “solidarity pool” mechanism, designed to aid member states cope with severe migratory pressures, according to a Reuters report.
The European Commission’s announcement confirms that the two nations will be among the first to receive support when the landmark Pact on Migration and Asylum officially enters into force in mid-2026.
EU aid for Greece, Cyprus, and other frontline nations
The Commission explicitly stated the reason for prioritizing the two Eastern Mediterranean nations:
“Greece and Cyprus are under migratory pressure due to the disproportionate level of arrivals over the last year. Spain and Italy are also under migratory pressure because of a disproportionate number of arrivals following search and rescue at sea in the same period,” the Commission detailed.
Under the new solidarity mechanism, other EU member states will be required to contribute relief to these frontline nations. Contributions may be in the form of:
- Relocation: Accepting the transfer of migrants from the impacted countries
- Financial aid: Providing money directly to Greece, Cyprus, and the other eligible states
- Other measures: Offering various forms of practical support
Migration challenges remain
The eligibility announcement comes despite a reported 35% decrease in illegal border crossings between July 2024 and June 2025. The Commission acknowledged that significant challenges persist, necessitating the launch of the new Pact.
Additionally, twelve other countries, including major states such as Germany and France, were identified as being “at risk of migratory pressure” and will gain priority access to the bloc’s migration support tools.
Opposition to mandatory solidarity
However, the mandatory nature of the Pact’s solidarity mechanism is already facing fierce opposition, particularly from the EU’s eastern wing, as reported by Euronews.
Prime Ministers from Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have all declared they will refuse to implement the core EU rules, stating they will neither accept migrants nor contribute financially to the solidarity pool intended to help countries like Greece and Cyprus.
A senior EU official warned that a refusal to contribute would be considered “a breach of obligations under EU law,” potentially leading to infringement proceedings against non-compliant states when the regulation takes effect in June 2026. The initial assessment of the new rules is scheduled for July of that year.
Related: Greece Suspends Asylum for Migrants From North Africa Amid Surge in Arrivals
