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Cyprus's Schengen Bid Sparks Alarm Over Turkish Cypriot Access and Rights

Growing concerns are surfacing within Cyprus, particularly among the Turkish Cypriot community, over the Republic of Cyprus's determined push to join the Schengen Zone, with fears that such a move could precipitate a "new crisis" by severely restricting movement and deepening existing divisions on the island. Turkish Cypriot researcher and activist Mertkan Hamit recently highlighted these anxieties, pointing to President Nikos Christodoulides's ambition to see Cyprus join the border-free area, potentially coinciding with its EU Presidency in 2026.

In a detailed social media post, Hamit warned that while discussions in the northern part of Cyprus often revolve around issues like the construction sector, property rights, foreign capital flows, and citizenship for children from mixed marriages, the broader "status quo is rapidly transforming" without significant Turkish Cypriot influence or preparedness for new risks.

Hamit's primary concern is how Schengen accession would impact Turkish Cypriots, many of whom live in a politically unrecognised entity. Even those holding Republic of Cyprus citizenship, and therefore EU citizenship, often experience limitations in exercising their full EU rights—a paradox Hamit believes Schengen could make "even more inextricable."

He detailed several potential negative consequences. Schengen's stringent border security rules could lead to stricter border controls along the Green Line, potentially involving "additional checks, visa-like documents, or even complete bans on passage." This could result in family separation, where an EU citizen, Turkish Cypriot with first-degree relatives lacking EU citizenship (such as a spouse or child holding only documents from the northern authorities or a third country) could see those relatives barred from crossing south. Hamit noted, "If you cannot enter the Schengen area with a non-Schengen visa passport, then freedom of movement across the Green Line here will be limited only to EU citizens and those with a Schengen Visa."

Furthermore, Hamit fears disparate treatment: while a non-EU tourist with a Schengen visa entering via Larnaca could travel freely within Europe, a Turkish Cypriot resident of the north, married to a Republic of Cyprus citizen, who can cross south in 2025, might lose this ability post-Schengen accession if they only possess documents from the north. As identity checks tighten, the impact on children and spouses could be severe, as Turkish Cypriots' children or spouses facing difficulties obtaining Republic of Cyprus citizenship could find crossings completely closed, leading to "social exclusion and practices contrary to fundamental human rights." Daily activities for Turkish Cypriots, such as working or shopping in the south, could be severely restricted, potentially causing economic hardship and significant income loss for those reliant on informal or semi-formal economic activities across the divide. Ultimately, Hamit warned that Schengen borders could formalise the division, transforming "the de facto division into an internationally recognized and digitally recorded 'border,' erecting not an invisible, but a visible and palpable wall between the two communities on the island."

Hamit criticized the lack of substantive debate on this issue within the Turkish Cypriot community, especially as it prepares for presidential elections. He expressed little confidence in the current Turkish Cypriot leadership's ability to address the challenge and noted a similar lack of proactive solutions from potential candidates. "Someone might say, like with all other issues, that we will solve this at the table. However, the issue may confront us before a table is set," he cautioned.

To mitigate these potential negative impacts, Hamit proposed several steps. He called for the establishment of an informal EU-level dialogue mechanism where Turkish Cypriot representatives would be included in official consultations with EU and Republic of Cyprus officials before Schengen accession to discuss rights of passage, free movement, and citizenship. He also suggested the development of a comprehensive "Mobility Strategy" to address the rights of individuals from mixed marriages, ease of passage, and access to digital identity systems. Furthermore, Hamit emphasized the need for an independent impact analysis to assess the social, economic, and political effects of Schengen membership on the north, which could guide policy and support civil society advocacy. He also recommended the modernization of crossing point infrastructure, with investments aimed at control and fostering cooperation and dialogue. Finally, Hamit urged that Turkish Cypriot civil society be prepared by raising public awareness and supporting civil society organizations to provide education, legal aid, and consultancy services regarding Schengen's implications.

Hamit concluded by expressing hope that these suggestions would spur a more detailed discussion on a development poised to directly affect the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots.

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