Cyprus is taking significant steps toward joining the Schengen free-travel zone by the end of this year, President Nikos Christodoulides announced during a conference in Nicosia last Friday. The move could bolster the island nation’s tourism and investment potential, though challenges linked to its unique geopolitical situation remain.
The island has been divided since 1974, with the Republic of Cyprus controlling the south and the Turkish-occupied north separated by a buffer zone known as the Green Line. If Cyprus joins Schengen without resolving this division, the Green Line would transform into an external EU border, necessitating stricter passport checks and potentially escalating tensions. EU officials have highlighted that adjustments to the Green Line Regulation would be essential to accommodate Schengen membership.
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Currently, Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU member states outside the Schengen area, as both lack land borders with other EU countries. President Christodoulides noted that Cyprus has addressed political concerns tied to the ceasefire line and is now finalizing the technical requirements for accession. A dedicated foreign ministry team is overseeing the process to ensure the country meets all necessary criteria.
Joining Schengen is not Cyprus’s only ambition. The president also revealed that efforts to secure visa-free travel for Cypriots to the United States are nearing completion. A U.S. delegation is expected to visit soon to finalize discussions, with formal announcements anticipated shortly.
As a member of the European Union since 2004, Cyprus has long enjoyed freedom of movement across the bloc. Achieving both Schengen membership and U.S. visa exemptions would mark a significant milestone, enhancing the nation’s connectivity and positioning it as a gateway in the eastern Mediterranean.
