For a long time, the buffer zone separating the Republic of Cyprus from the occupied territories of the unrecognised TRNC remained one of the main stumbling blocks on the country's path to Schengen accession.
Today, however, this issue has faded into the background.
The European Commission and the Cypriot authorities have concluded that the Green Line is no longer an insurmountable obstacle. The change in focus means that attention is now fully focused on meeting the technical criteria necessary for full accession to Schengen. This is an important turnaround that brings Cyprus closer to the long-awaited goal of becoming part of the area of free movement of citizens.
In particular, the EU expects Cyprus to focus on:
- Strengthening controls along the Green Line - but without turning it into a 'hard' or symbolically hostile border. This means using smart, technological and legal tools to maintain order without aggravating the division of the island.
- Modernisation of crossing points, introduction of new control standards and compliance with EU standards at all crossing points in the buffer zone.
- Full implementation of the Schengen roadmap, which includes six priority areas: strong protection of personal data, close police cooperation with other EU countries, effective control of external borders, a clear procedure for the return of non-asylum seekers, an updated visa policy and full integration into the Schengen Information System (SIS II).
It should be noted that Cyprus is actively moving forward. The following key steps have been taken so far:
- Successful connection to SIS II, which has become the basis for information interaction with other Schengen countries.
- Expansion of the network of consulates and consular services abroad to ensure more efficient visa issuance.
- Introduction of the EU Blue Card system, which allows the recruitment of qualified professionals from third countries according to common European standards.
- Harmonisation of migration legislation with European Union law, including measures to identify and register arrivals.
At the same time, EU support remains very strong.
More than €292 million has already been allocated for the implementation of migration and border management programmes. The first phase of the technical assessment is expected to be completed in the coming months. Based on its results, the next and final phase of harmonisation will be launched. However, formal approval can only be given by a unanimous decision of all Schengen member states.
The Cypriot government aims to complete the technical preparations by the end of 2025. If all goes according to plan and the EU does not impose any additional conditions, the island state could become a full member of Schengen within the next two to three years.
Cyprus' accession to Schengen will not only be a symbolic end to the country's "European journey", but will also bring concrete benefits to citizens, businesses and tourists. These include:
- The abolition of visa formalities for travelling within the EU;
- Increased investment and easier business travel;
- Enhancing the country's status as a tourism and logistics hub for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Despite the politically sensitive situation on the island, Cyprus continues its integration into the European space - step by step, with pragmatism and confidence. The Green Line, recently seen as a threat, is now just a detail in a complex but solvable architecture. Schengen for Cyprus is not just about borders. It is about European maturity, trust and progress.