Cyprus will resolve all technical issues necessary to join the Schengen free movement area by the end of this year, declared Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
The Cypriot leader also announced that his country is in the final stages of inclusion in the Visa Waiver program, as reported by POLITICO.
Cyprus and Ireland, which do not share land borders with other EU countries, are the only EU member states not part of the Schengen area, after Romania and Bulgaria became full-fledged members of the passport-free zone as of January 1.
"We have addressed all political concerns regarding the demarcation line and are now finalizing the technical details required for accession," Christodoulides stated during a conference held Friday evening in Nicosia. He emphasized the benefits that Schengen membership will bring to Cyprus, especially in terms of tourism and investments.
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A dedicated team within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is overseeing the process, he said.
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004. While Cypriots enjoy freedom of movement within the bloc of 27 countries, the Mediterranean island is not yet part of the Schengen area, which includes countries outside the EU.
Cyprus, however, is a unique case, as the island has been divided since 1974 between the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-occupied north. If Cyprus joins Schengen without resolving this issue, the Green Line, currently a buffer zone, would become a problematic external EU border, experts warn.
This change would require passport controls at crossing points, altering their status and potentially increasing tensions.
EU officials have warned that full accession to the Schengen area would require changes to the Green Line Regulation, which governs movement on the divided island.
Christodoulides also stated that Cyprus is in the final stages of eliminating the US visa requirement for Cypriot travelers. An American delegation is expected to visit Cyprus soon on this matter, with announcements expected shortly.
Romania has also been admitted to the Visa Waiver program, it was announced this week in Washington and Bucharest.