President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed gratitude towards France for its “concrete support” in helping Cyprus take significant steps towards joining the Schengen area next year.
- President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed gratitude towards France for its "concrete support" in helping Cyprus take significant steps towards joining the Schengen area next year.
- In a recent statement, he confirmed that a joint letter of intent aimed at advancing this goal will be signed by the foreign ministers of both nations, Jean-Noel Barrot and Constantinos Kombos.
- The upcoming collaboration between Cyprus and France marks a significant step in this journey, as both nations work together to navigate the complexities of Schengen accession.
In a recent statement, he confirmed that a joint letter of intent aimed at advancing this goal will be signed by the foreign ministers of both nations, Jean-Noel Barrot and Constantinos Kombos.
Christodoulides has consistently highlighted the importance of Schengen membership, labelling it a strategic decision that would benefit both Cyprus and the European Union. He stated, “We will join the Schengen zone in 2026. A huge effort is being made by the end of 2025 from a technical point of view. This is our goal; we will have completed everything we need to do as a state, with the aim of 2026, precisely, for the Republic of Cyprus to join the Schengen zone.”
As of now, Cyprus stands as one of only two EU member states outside the Schengen zone, alongside Ireland, following the integration of Bulgaria and Romania earlier this year. Non-EU countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen framework.
Recent reports have outlined the key requirements Cyprus must meet in order to secure its place in the Schengen zone, particularly emphasising the need to bolster border controls. A focal point of these improvements is the Green Line, which, while not officially regarded as an external border, is recognised as needing rigorous controls to align with EU standards.
The upcoming collaboration between Cyprus and France marks a significant step in this journey, as both nations work together to navigate the complexities of Schengen accession.
