Joining Schengen will be Good for Cyprus’ Security, says Christodoulides

Allaying Turkish Cypriot and some Greek Cypriot concerns that the buffer zone would create a “hard border”, Christodoulides said joining Schengen would “enhance our country’s security”, which was the “main reason” the government took the political decision to do so in the first place.

Christodoulides recalled the reactions when Cyprus “dared to apply for accession to the EU”.

“We were hearing similar voices from some people that on the one hand the Republic of Cyprus would not accede or if it did it would lead to partition,” he said.

“As a government, we have a clear plan, a clear design, we know where we are going and we are working very specifically towards this ambitious goal. There are no such concerns about a hard border, on the contrary, I repeat, it strengthens the security of the country which is our obligation primarily to our people,” the president said.

On May 11, Christodoulides said Cyprus would be joining the Schengen zone in 2026.

Joining the Schengen zone will effectively abolish border checks between the Republic of Cyprus and 29 European countries, with air and maritime passenger transport to the continent thus no longer requiring a passport or identity card check.

Cyprus is one of just two EU member states – Ireland being the other – left outside the Schengen zone, following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania at the beginning of this year. Four non-EU members – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – are also Schengen members.

Reports earlier in the year set out the likely requirements Cyprus must fulfil to be able to join the Schengen zone, with the country said to have been tasked with “strengthening border controls”.

Particular attention on this front has been paid to the buffer zone, which, while not de jure an external border, is said to “require strict controls” and is not exempt from EU frontier standards.

Cyprus is said to also be required to “strengthen its consular presence internationally”, through further representation and cooperation agreements with other states and “external providers”.

Another important step towards Schengen zone membership is the application of the Schengen acquis on visas and migrant returns.

Should all the technical requirements be fulfilled, the final step towards joining the Schengen zone will be a final evaluation and political approval.

The European Commission will undertake a final assessment of Cyprus’ suitability, with accession requiring unanimous approval by all the Schengen zone’s current 29 member states.

Source: Cyprus Mail