The European Commission has stated that Cyprus is ready to join the Schengen Area, but issues related to the island's division and British military bases may complicate its accession. Cyprus, along with Ireland, is currently the only EU member not part of the Schengen Area. After implementing 120 technical recommendations, Nicosia received a positive assessment from the European Commission in July, indicating its technical readiness. These recommendations, stemming from EU evaluations since 2021, addressed border controls, visa policy, access to European security databases, and police cooperation, requiring significant technological upgrades and legislative reforms.
On October 1, Nicholas Ioannides, Cyprus's Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, confirmed that all recommendations from the European Commission had been implemented. He stated that Cyprus is technically ready to join Schengen, with the next step being the attainment of a political agreement. However, a positive technical assessment is not sufficient for accession, as it requires a unanimous decision from the EU Council after consulting the European Parliament.
Reports indicate that Austria and the Netherlands have expressed reservations regarding security concerns related to the Green Line, which divides Cyprus, and the status of the British Sovereign Base Areas. While neither country has officially threatened to veto Cyprus's accession, their concerns are significant, especially given their previous objections to the Schengen expansion for Bulgaria and Romania.
The Green Line, a ceasefire line established after Turkey's military intervention in 1974, separates the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish-controlled northern part of the island. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) monitors the buffer zone, and the Green Line is not recognized as an international border. Crossings occur at nine designated points, governed by a special EU regulation. This unique situation presents challenges for Schengen membership, as the Republic of Cyprus does not control the entire length of the Green Line, which raises concerns among some Schengen countries.
Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou, an associate professor at UCLan Cyprus, noted that for Cyprus to be considered as having full control, either the Cyprus problem would need to be resolved, or a strictly controlled physical border established. Another challenge is the British Sovereign Base Areas, which cover 254 square kilometers and remain under UK sovereignty. The Dhekelia base area borders both the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, complicating border control procedures.
Nicosia and the British authorities have begun discussions to upgrade border control at the crossing points to align with EU standards. Cyprus has also intensified diplomatic efforts, with Ioannides meeting with counterparts from Austria, the Netherlands, and Finland on October 1 during the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting. Additionally, at the MED9 summit in Croatia on October 7, leaders expressed support for Cyprus's accession process.
Despite these positive developments, diplomatic sources have indicated that Cyprus's entry into the Schengen Area is not guaranteed. There is a possibility that the EU may wait for progress on the Cyprus issue before making a decision that could lead to further political and practical complications.