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Cyprus's Schengen Bid Ignites Fears of a "Hard Border" on Divided Island

The Cypriot government's goal of joining the Schengen Area by 2026 ignites considerable discussion on the island. Members from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities are voicing significant worries that this initiative could accidentally establish a "hard border," further entrenching the de facto division that has been in place since Turkey's invasion in 1974. This development could lead to significant economic consequences, potentially hindering trade and the movement of goods and people.

Speaking to Alpha TV, Cyprus's former Justice Minister, Anna Koukkides Procopiou, voiced serious reservations about the implications of Schengen accession for the divided island. She warned that while Cyprus has made technical strides, including successfully harmonizing police systems with the Schengen Information System (SIS) during her tenure, the core issue remains profoundly political.

"The problem is political," the former minister stated, drawing a parallel with Ireland, which opted out of Schengen to avoid creating a hard border with Northern Ireland and disrupting the peace established by the Good Friday Agreement. "If we enter the Schengen zone, what arrangements will be made regarding passage through the checkpoints? Will we create a hard border in the heart of the Republic of Cyprus?"

Prokopiou elaborated that Schengen membership necessitates strict control of external borders. In Cyprus's unique situation, this could mean the Green Line, the UN-patrolled buffer zone, effectively becoming an external EU border, complete with stringent passport checks. This, she cautioned, could be interpreted as a de facto recognition of the division and might be exploited by Turkish and some Turkish Cypriot leaders. "They might say that [Greek Cypriots] divided the island themselves," she warned, urging careful consideration of "a serious repercussion and perhaps a step towards the permanentization of the occupation." The Cypriot politician also recalled EU officials often stating, "the best way to enter Schengen is to solve the Cyprus problem."

Echoing these anxieties from the Turkish Cypriot community, lawyer and politician Mine Atli took to social media to express alarm about the potential "de facto enclavement" of Turkish Cypriots residing in the northern part of the island, particularly those who do not hold Republic of Cyprus passports.

Atli, the Foreign Relations Secretary for the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), emphasized that "Turkish Cypriots are equal owners of the island." She called for urgent measures, stating, "A special formula must be developed to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots." Her proposals include creating legal arrangements for non-passport holding Turkish Cypriots to apply for Schengen visas from the south, ensuring that "new obstacles are not created for crossings between the north and south; on the contrary, free movement should be facilitated," and guaranteeing their travel freedom in line with European principles.

Atli warned that while Schengen membership could be an opportunity for all Cypriots if based on equality and human rights, a unilateral process risks deepening "existing discrimination and isolation" and further damaging hopes for a Cyprus settlement.

Despite these mounting concerns, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides remains committed to the 2026 accession goal. He recently assured that "all technical issues will be completed by the end of 2025," describing Schengen membership as a "strategic decision" for Cyprus and the EU. The President acknowledged the need for support from the European Parliament and member states, stating it is a key issue in his diplomatic contacts.

Map: Schengen Zone - Wikimedia Commons

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