The Schengen Area is the largest zone of free travel in the world.
Cyprus is determined to join the Schengen Area and fulfill all necessary conditions to secure the southeastern border of the European Union. Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos made this statement on Thursday, according to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
Kombos chaired a meeting of Cypriot ministers to review the progress made in the country’s accession process to the “borderless zone.” Participants included ministers of interior, justice, transport, and representatives from immigration, social welfare, and tourism departments.
He announced the establishment of a Schengen working group to improve coordination among the responsible ministries and government agencies. Additionally, Kombos congratulated the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, highlighting the importance Cyprus places on joining the Schengen Area.
During the meeting, government officials agreed to intensify efforts in addressing outstanding issues in the coming weeks. Progress will be evaluated at another meeting scheduled for late February.
The Schengen Area, established in 1985, initially removed border controls between France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It now includes 29 countries—25 of the 27 EU member states, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—encompassing a population of 420 million people.
However, internal border controls with Cyprus remain in place, and Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area.
