Luxembourg, Luxembourg. The European Commission will soon present its evaluation report on Cyprus’ bid to join the Schengen area, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said on Thursday after the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.
Brunner said the decision on when and how Cyprus joins the Schengen area lies with the Council, not the Commission.
Commission report and Council decision
Responding to a question by the Cyprus News Agency, Brunner said Cyprus’ accession would be an important development for the European Union.
He said Cyprus joining the Schengen area would be a significant step forward for the European Union as a whole and that the Commission’s primary focus is on ensuring that Cyprus meets the higher Schengen standards.
Brunner said the Commission had evaluated the situation in Cyprus and would present the report soon.
Comments during Council meeting
Brunner was speaking alongside Justice Minister Costas Fytiris and Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides, who co-chaired the Council meeting during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.
State of Schengen Report
The European Commission presented its annual State of Schengen Report to EU ministers. The report includes an assessment of developments across the Schengen area and was expected to contain references to Cyprus’ progress towards its first formal Schengen evaluation.
Cyprus preparations
Commenting on Cyprus’ preparations, Fytiris said the country has been making sustained efforts since joining the EU in 2004.
He said Cyprus had implemented the core elements of the Schengen acquis with the support of the European Commission and EU agencies.
