Politis: Green Line Regulation Main Obstacle to Southern Cyprus Joining Schengen
Greek Cypriot newspaper Politis reports that the biggest obstacle to Southern Cyprus’ full membership in the Schengen Area is the Green Line.
According to the report, the fact that crossings are conducted only through identity checks, combined with the Green Line Regulation’s prohibition on border controls, slows the process and raises doubts about the 2026 target.
The newspaper notes that Southern Cyprus applied for Schengen membership in September 2019 and joined the Schengen Information System (SIS) four years later, enabling instant information exchange with all member states.
Despite these steps, full Schengen participation has not yet been achieved, and Politis attributes the delay to the Turkish occupation, the Green Line, and crossing points.
The report highlights European partners’ concerns about the effective monitoring of the Green Line, emphasizing that it is not a formal border. The Green Line Regulation explicitly prohibits border inspections, allowing crossings to be conducted solely through identity verification.
Politis also points out that statements by Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides claiming full Schengen membership for Southern Cyprus by 2026 have generated skepticism.
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