The membership of Cyprus in the Schengen Zone would enhance the country’s security, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, has said.
The President told Cyprus Mail that joining the borderless area of the Schengen would first enhance national security, which, according to him, was the main reason that the government took the political decision to become part of the visa-free travel zone, Schengen.News reports.
Christodoulides recalled the reactions when Cyprus applied for accession to the European Union’s Schengen Zone.
We were hearing similar voices from some people that on the one hand the Republic of Cyprus would not accede or if it did it would lead to partition.
He said that the government has a clear plan, stressing that the government is working very specifically towards its ambitious goal to become part of the Schengen Area.
There are no such concerns about a hard border, on the contrary, I repeat, it strengthens the security of the country which is our obligation primarily to our people.
Cyprus to Join Schengen by 2026
The President of Cyprus said that Cyprus would become part of the Schengen Area in 2026.
A similar statement was made by Cyprus’s President earlier this month. The President previously said that Cyprus is making a significant effort to achieve its goal.
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.
Back then, he said that the decision would help the further development of both Cyprus and the EU.
Cyprus Closer to Becoming a Schengen Member
Recently, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Magnus Brunner, said that the Commission is closely monitoring the progress of Cyprus in terms of fulfilling the requirement to become the newest member of the Schengen Area.
In addition, Brunner said that up to this point, more than €292 million worth of European Union funding has been allocated to Cyprus’ border management, migration, and police cooperation under the 2021-2027 program.
Cyprus has been part of the European Union since 2004, however, it is still not part of the Schengen Zone.
The country has intensified its efforts to become the newest Schengen Zone country.
Previously, the President of Cyprus said that the accession of his country to the Schengen Zone would, among others, boost tourism, which is essential for Cyprus’s economy.