South Cyprus Meets Schengen Technical Criteria, Awaits Political Approval

The meeting, held on the sidelines of France's Bastille Day celebrations, also covered the Cyprus issue and the recent appointment of Raffaele Fitto as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus.

According to Greek Cypriot Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou, Christodoulides thanked von der Leyen for the European Commission's support for the efforts of UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin.

Von der Leyen said the appointment of Fitto reflects the Commission's strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and reaffirmed that the EU considers the Cyprus issue a priority.

She also stressed that the European Union would use all available instruments to support the UN-led settlement process and reiterated that any future solution must be compatible with EU principles, values and legislation.

The Schengen accession process was also high on the agenda.

Antoniou said South Cyprus has successfully fulfilled all technical criteria required for Schengen membership and that only a political decision by EU member states is now needed.

Von der Leyen expressed her support for South Cyprus joining the Schengen Area as soon as possible, with reports noting that she is among the strongest advocates of the island's accession.

However, unnamed diplomats cited in the report expressed reservations about the practical implementation of Schengen rules in Cyprus and their potential impact on the Cyprus issue.

According to diplomatic sources, questions remain over the Greek Cypriot administration's position that the Schengen Entry/Exit System would not apply at the island's nine crossing points across the Green Line.

The diplomats warned that such an arrangement could prove difficult to sustain in practice, potentially turning the Green Line into a de facto hard external border or creating administrative challenges in monitoring entry to and exit from the Schengen Area.