Greek Cypriot Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Nikolas Ioannides, expressed optimism regarding Cyprus’ entry into the Schengen Zone within 2026 following a meeting with the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.
In statements Ioannides said that “I mentioned that there is readiness regarding our efforts to become a full member of the Schengen Zone.”
“We are technically ready; technical checks will be carried out by the Commission in the coming period, and there is an initially positive stance so that this issue can be technically completed soon, so that by 2026, the matter can be definitively closed,” he noted, adding that “of course, we hope to secure political support so that the Republic of Cyprus becomes a full member of the Schengen Zone.”
The Deputy Minister clarified the timeline for Cyprus’s accession to Schengen, stating that he expects a positive technical evaluation from the European Commission before the end of 2025, “so that within 2026, political support from the other Member States can be secured, as is customary, to complete this effort.”
Ioannides described the meeting with the Commissioner as “very constructive” and clarified that, in addition to Schengen, he presented Cyprus’s priorities for the EU Council Presidency it will hold in the first six months of 2026.
“I said that it is our priority to ensure that the Migration and Asylum Pact is implemented in June 2026. I expressed our willingness to proceed with the pending legislative files so that we can complete some legislation or contribute to the advancement of other issues, even if they are not completed during our presidency,” he added, noting that there is very good willingness from both sides for cooperation.
“We are already working very closely with the European Commission. There are good interpersonal relationships, there is professionalism, and we aspire to strengthen this cooperation during our presidency so that, as I said, we have a successful presidency in both migration issues and in general,” the Deputy Minister pointed out.
( Source : CNA)
