Joining Europe’s Schengen zone is a “key priority” for Cyprus’ government, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday.
Speaking after a meeting with European Commissioner for internal affairs Magnus Brunner, he said the European Commission’s “guidance” towards the ultimate goal of joining the Schengen zone is “key to this important goal”.
He added that Cyprus joining the Schengen zone will be “mutually beneficial for Cyprus and all European citizens”.
The Schengen zone is Europe’s free-travel area, in which people can travel without passport checks.
With Bulgaria and Romania having fully joined the zone at the turn of the year, Cyprus is now one of just two European Union member states to not be inside the zone, alongside the Republic of Ireland, which is part of a separate free travel zone with non-EU member the United Kingdom.
In addition to the 25 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also inside the Schengen zone.
Last week, President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus will join the Schengen zone by the end of the year.
We have addressed all political concerns regarding the ceasefire line and are now finalising the technical details required for accession,” he said.
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