Discussion of the government's draft law on Cyprus' accession to the Schengen area – a goal the government has set for sometime next year – began on Tuesday in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The bill makes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the competent national authority for Schengen-related issues, while the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy is tasked with implementing the technical side.

Speaking later to the media, Diko MP Chrysis Pantelides said that their goal was to quickly complete the examination of the bill and then submit it to the plenary for a vote.

Pantelides praised the current government for "the numerous steps it has taken towards Cyprus' accession to the Schengen area ... which are also consistent with the measures taken under the US visa waiver programme'.

He expressed his confidence that by joining the Schengen area, Cyprus would be "placed on the same level as the citizens of other countries in terms of the movement of persons..."

The adoption of the law, he added, is the most important step before the Republic of Cyprus joins the Schengen area.

The committee meeting was attended by First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides in her capacity as head of the Directorate for Schengen and Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pantelides even compared the application to join the Schengen area with Cyprus' application to join the European Union; Cyprus became a full member of the Union in 2004.

"This is a crucial step towards harmonisation, but there are still steps to be taken, because we must not forget that in the end it comes down to a political decision by all EU member states."

He was alluding to the fact that accession to the Schengen area requires the unanimous consent of all currently 29 member states.

In May, President Nikos Christodoulides had already declared that Cyprus would join next year. The technical aspects would be clarified by the end of 2025, he added.

Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU member states that are not part of the Schengen area.

Joining the Schengen area effectively abolishes border controls between the Republic of Cyprus and 29 European countries. This means that passport or identity card checks are no longer required for the transport of people by air and sea to the continent.

One of the most important prerequisites for accession is the tightening of border controls. Particular attention is paid to the Green Line, which is not a de jure external border, but requires strict controls and is not exempt from EU border standards.

Cyprus is also called upon to strengthen its consular presence internationally through further representation and cooperation agreements with other states and "external providers".

Another important step towards membership of the Schengen area is the application of the Schengen acquis in the area of visas and return of migrants.












Sources: CyprusMail.com
Author: Elias Hazou