Cyprus’ application to join the Schengen Area was at the centre of a press conference held on Thursday afternoon following the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs in Nicosia.

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner expressed optimism that solutions can be found to address the island’s particularities, including the Green Line.

Responding to questions, Mr Brunner said that “the Green Line is certainly a challenge, and this is something we all know”, adding, however, that “I am very optimistic that we can find a solution for the Green Line as well, of course, and overall for Cyprus.”

The Commissioner stressed that Cyprus’ unique situation will be fully taken into account, while at the same time ensuring a high level of security for the Schengen Area as a whole. He reiterated the clear and unequivocal support of the European Commission for Cyprus’ accession, noting that it would benefit not only the island but the entire Schengen zone.

“We fully support Cyprus in joining the Schengen Area,” he said, adding that Cyprus’ participation would have a positive impact across the entire zone. Without setting a specific timetable, he noted that “many improvements have been made in recent months” and confirmed that a new evaluation report is expected soon. “We are doing everything we can to support Cyprus on its path towards Schengen,” he underlined.

Responding to concerns that accession to Schengen could entrench the division of the island, Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nikolas Ioannides stressed that “the Green Line is not a border and will never become a border”, recalling that this position is explicitly enshrined in the Green Line Regulation.

At the same time, he explained that the regulation allows the Republic of Cyprus to conduct checks along the line. “It is not a border, but we have the right to carry out checks under a specific legal framework,” he said.