Cyprus Aims to Resolve Schengen Membership Technical Issues by Year-End

Cyprus is set to resolve all remaining technical issues necessary to join the Schengen free-travel zone by the end of this year, according to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

During a conference in Nicosia on Friday, Christodoulides stated, “We have addressed all political concerns regarding the cease-fire line and are now finalizing the technical details required for accession.” He emphasized the significant benefits Schengen membership would bring to Cyprus, particularly in the areas of tourism and investment. A dedicated team within the foreign ministry is managing the process to ensure its successful completion, he added.

Cyprus and Ireland remain the only European Union member states outside the Schengen zone, primarily because neither has land borders with other EU nations. Meanwhile, Romania and Bulgaria recently joined the passport-free area on January 1.

Although Cypriots have enjoyed freedom of movement across the 27-member EU since Cyprus joined in 2004, the island itself has not yet been included in the Schengen zone. The situation in Cyprus is further complicated by its division since 1974, with the Republic of Cyprus controlling the southern part and the Turkish-occupied north operating independently.

Experts warn that Cyprus’s accession to Schengen without resolving this division could transform the Green Line, currently a buffer zone, into a hard external border of the EU. This would necessitate passport checks at crossing points, altering their current status and potentially heightening tensions. EU officials have indicated that full Schengen membership would require revisions to the Green Line Regulation, which governs movement across the divided island.

An EU official was not available for immediate comment on the matter on Saturday.

In addition to its Schengen aspirations, Cyprus is also nearing the elimination of the U.S. visa requirement for Cypriot travelers. Christodoulides noted that a U.S. delegation is expected to visit Cyprus soon to address the issue, with further announcements anticipated.

By fLEXI tEAM