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| Internal memos reveal a push to convince Europe that the island's unique division poses no security risk. Photo credit: Unsplash |
Brussels clears Nicosia on security and border checks while leaving the final verdict to member states.
The Republic of Cyprus is on track to join the Schengen area, according to an EU technical evaluation presented to the competent Schengen Committee on June 26. Sources close to the matter indicate that the EU gave Cyprus a positive evaluation, describing it as technically ready for full participation in the Schengen area. The evaluation separated these technical matters from the island's political complications resulting from the occupation and the presence of the British Bases. The EU believes these complications affect internal security, while Nicosia reportedly maintains that they pose no migratory or other risks to the Union.
In any case, the decision on whether Cyprus will join the Schengen area now shifts to the Council, where member states will be asked to make a political decision. Nicosia plans to leverage both its positive technical evaluation and the argument that joining the single area will encourage a solution to the Cyprus problem. They argue that membership will act as a tool for peace rather than creating the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas.
A source at the EU headquarters told this publication that the 60 page report prepared by European officials considers the current checks at the Green Line to be adequate. However, the report states that these measures must be outlined with complete detail and clarity within EU law, based on the Green Line Regulation and Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus. Regarding the British Bases, officials decided that operational reinforcement is necessary to ensure a level of security against irregular migration and threats to public order that matches EU standards.
Nicosia is not worried that this will create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas, noting that the status of the Green Line will not be affected by the upcoming checks.
Related information indicates that following the EU technical evaluation, the head of the Schengen Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, prepared an internal memo describing the current stage as very critical. Ms. Karsera Christodoulides reportedly recommends a coordinated, steady, and well-supported diplomatic effort so that the technical progress Cyprus has achieved can be translated into a political decision by the member states to greenlight the island's entry into the Schengen area.
This political approval is now the main goal for Nicosia, which hopes member states will approve full participation in the Schengen area regardless of whether the Cyprus problem is resolved.
An EU diplomatic source speaking on the condition of anonymity pointed out that Cyprus is on track for full participation in the Schengen area, though they declined to predict the political decision the member states will make. The source also remained neutral regarding the checks that might be required at checkpoints and the need to establish a mechanism similar to the one used at airports and ports in the Republic of Cyprus. Such a mechanism could create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas, which might affect the prospects and the potential framework for resolving the Cyprus problem.
However, multiple sources state that Nicosia believes there is no reason for concern. In the internal memo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Schengen Directorate reportedly points out that no changes are required on the ground. A well-informed source confirms that the memo prepared by Ms. Philippa Karsera Christodoulides aligns with the details of the EU evaluation report, noting that the checks along the Green Line and at crossing points were deemed completely satisfactory and the surveillance excellent.
The same information states that the Schengen Directorate expects the status of the Green Line will remain unaffected by the new checks resulting from full Schengen membership, meaning anyone traveling legally today will continue to do so.
The internal memo also offers a counterargument to worries that full Schengen membership without a prior solution to the Cyprus problem would create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly argues that full integration into the Schengen area will actually encourage a solution to the Cyprus problem and will restore the full right of free movement within the zone for all Cypriots. The ministry maintains that this will not be an obstacle, as free movement is a tool for peace and progress that Cyprus intends to use.
The Green Line
A source at the EU headquarters told this publication that the 60 page report prepared by European officials considers the current checks at the Green Line to be adequate. However, the report states that these measures must be outlined with complete detail and clarity within EU law, based on the Green Line Regulation and Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus. Regarding the British Bases, officials decided that operational reinforcement is necessary to ensure a level of security against irregular migration and threats to public order that matches EU standards.
Nicosia is not worried that this will create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas, noting that the status of the Green Line will not be affected by the upcoming checks.
Related information indicates that following the EU technical evaluation, the head of the Schengen Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, prepared an internal memo describing the current stage as very critical. Ms. Karsera Christodoulides reportedly recommends a coordinated, steady, and well-supported diplomatic effort so that the technical progress Cyprus has achieved can be translated into a political decision by the member states to greenlight the island's entry into the Schengen area.
This political approval is now the main goal for Nicosia, which hopes member states will approve full participation in the Schengen area regardless of whether the Cyprus problem is resolved.
An EU diplomatic source speaking on the condition of anonymity pointed out that Cyprus is on track for full participation in the Schengen area, though they declined to predict the political decision the member states will make. The source also remained neutral regarding the checks that might be required at checkpoints and the need to establish a mechanism similar to the one used at airports and ports in the Republic of Cyprus. Such a mechanism could create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas, which might affect the prospects and the potential framework for resolving the Cyprus problem.
However, multiple sources state that Nicosia believes there is no reason for concern. In the internal memo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Schengen Directorate reportedly points out that no changes are required on the ground. A well-informed source confirms that the memo prepared by Ms. Philippa Karsera Christodoulides aligns with the details of the EU evaluation report, noting that the checks along the Green Line and at crossing points were deemed completely satisfactory and the surveillance excellent.
The same information states that the Schengen Directorate expects the status of the Green Line will remain unaffected by the new checks resulting from full Schengen membership, meaning anyone traveling legally today will continue to do so.
The internal memo also offers a counterargument to worries that full Schengen membership without a prior solution to the Cyprus problem would create the appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly argues that full integration into the Schengen area will actually encourage a solution to the Cyprus problem and will restore the full right of free movement within the zone for all Cypriots. The ministry maintains that this will not be an obstacle, as free movement is a tool for peace and progress that Cyprus intends to use.
The Green Line
Regarding the Green Line, sources at the EU headquarters pointed out that the report by European officials recognizes the adequacy of the personal checks currently conducted at crossing points. The report repeats the legally correct position that the Green Line is not an external EU border, though it avoids addressing the potential appearance of a hard border between the free and occupied areas if Cyprus joins the Schengen Treaty before the Cyprus problem is resolved.
The EU report describes the surveillance system at the Green Line as reliable and technologically advanced. It suggests that the measures at crossing points should be defined with greater clarity and detail under EU law, based on Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus and the Green Line Regulation.
On this issue, the internal memo by the Schengen Directorate states that the goal of the detailed definition requested by the EU is to provide greater legal certainty, clarity, and consistency. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that a legal solution has already been set in motion following discussions between the Republic of Cyprus, the Commission, and the legal services of the Council and the European Commission.
The British Bases
Regarding the British Bases, the EU report calls for updated and stronger cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to meet the requirements of full Schengen implementation. This upgrade applies to the checks conducted at the two checkpoints managed by the British Bases, as well as the movement of British military personnel and their families within the Schengen area once Cyprus becomes a full participant.
The internal memo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Cypriot authorities and the British Bases have already begun making decisions to manage these priority issues as part of the effort to achieve full Schengen membership.
An EU source confirmed that Nicosia has already informed Brussels about the measures planned with the British Bases to upgrade and strengthen this cooperation.
A major step toward Nicosia's ultimate goal
The positive technical evaluation is seen as a major step toward full Schengen membership for the Republic of Cyprus, though it still requires political approval from the member states. Following the standard procedure, Nicosia can now respond or offer clarifications regarding the report, particularly concerning the complications of the occupation and the cooperation with the British Bases. After that, political consultations regarding full integration will begin within the Council.
Since 2021, Cyprus has successfully addressed 120 recommendations across the six areas of the Schengen rules, which is detailed in the 60 page report by EU services. The report concludes that Cyprus is technically ready for full participation and views the remaining pending issues positively, suggesting they are currently being resolved.
Because Cyprus is technically ready and political consultations will determine the final outcome at the Council, Nicosia has already stepped up its diplomatic efforts. The government is emphasizing Cyprus's role in regional evacuations and its history of providing humanitarian assistance to member states and strategic partners in a volatile geopolitical region.
On the issue of deportations and returns, the Schengen Committee report ranks Cyprus third in effectiveness, noting 11,600 returns in 2025 compared to 1,000 in 2020. The report also notes that Cyprus has successfully addressed past gaps in its visa policy by fulfilling 42 recommendations and completing the tests for the new Visa Information System.
Additionally, the Schengen Committee noted that the Cyprus Police have been fully utilizing the Schengen Information System for about three years, showing substantial progress in using information systems and developing technical tools. The committee still looks for improvements regarding the SIRENE bureau and the Single Point of Contact, though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that these matters have already been properly addressed.
