Kombos says Schengen membership would not alter eligibility at Cyprus crossing points

Nicosia, Cyprus. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos assured the House finance committee on Friday that joining Schengen would not change who is eligible to use the crossings between the island’s two sides. He gave the assurance while defending his ministry’s budget.

EU framework would remain unchanged

Kombos said European Union regulations govern the operation of the crossing points and would remain unchanged if Cyprus entered Europe’s passport-free travel area.

“Part of the controls have to do with security, and with identification for security, but this does not mean that they are border-type controls,” he said.

He described the wider issue as complicated but reiterated that eligibility would be preserved: “anyone who is entitled to pass through the free areas will continue to be entitled to do so even after we join the Schengen zone”.

Questions over airport and entry procedures

The minister also addressed Tymbou (Ercan) airport. Many in Europe have questioned whether Schengen membership is feasible while both the airport and the crossing points remain operational.

The Cypriot government has maintained that Schengen’s new digital entry/exit system would not apply at the crossings. That arrangement, however, would allow third-country nationals to enter or leave Schengen through Cyprus without completing the required administrative formalities.

Travellers could depart Cyprus through Tymbou (Ercan) and subsequently reach another Schengen destination without an official record of departure. Alternatively, they could enter Cyprus through the airport and later attempt to exit Schengen elsewhere in Europe without having completed the usual immigration formalities. These situations would disrupt administration of Europe’s shared border.

Applying the entry/exit system at the nine existing crossing points would be an alternative, but would expose the government to the risk of turning the Green Line into a hard border.

Accession decision rests with the council

The European Commission confirmed in July that it had assessed Cyprus’ readiness for Schengen membership favourably. The matter is now before the Council of the European Union.

Commission spokesman Markus Lammert emphasised in July that the council has responsibility for deciding the timing and terms of Cyprus’ accession to Schengen.