Greek Cypriot Administration Tightens Border and Airport Checks

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said the police force will undergo restructuring in 2026 and that South Cyprus is nearing completion of the process to join the Schengen Area.

During a parliamentary committee session on the Justice Ministry’s 2026 budget, officials confirmed that security measures at border crossings between the TRNC and South Cyprus, as well as at airports, will be strengthened.

According to Fileleftheros, which covered the issue under the headline “Checks at Barricades and Airports to Change,” Arnavutis told the committee that changes were being planned in how inspections are conducted at both land crossings and airports. He said 23 newly recruited officers will soon be assigned to border posts to improve monitoring of movements to and from the TRNC. Currently, he noted, security at airports in South Cyprus is handled by 70 personnel.

Arnavutis also acknowledged challenges faced by the police in tackling crime, particularly in technological capacity, and emphasized the need to hire technology experts to address these shortcomings.

Justice Minister Hartsiotis told the committee that the police force will be restructured in 2026 and that the central call system will be upgraded. He also mentioned the ongoing construction of a new block in the central prison as part of efforts to combat organized crime.

On South Cyprus’s bid to join the Schengen Area, Hartsiotis said the process is in its final stages, noting that the technical framework and necessary conditions have been largely met.