“Things are proceeding normally” with regard to Cyprus’ accession to the Schengen Area, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Friday, expressing hope that the issue would be discussed at a political level as soon as possible.
Asked about the matter in Dublin, where he is attending the informal meeting of EU heads of state and government, President Christodoulides said that the Republic of Cyprus had completed all the technical requirements for full Schengen membership two years ago.
He noted that no negative reaction had emerged from any Member State so far, adding that a discussion was taking place on Friday in a relevant working group in Brussels.
He also pointed to the absence of secondary migration flows, an issue of concern to European countries, adding that “all the necessary elements are in place. And we want the Republic of Cyprus to become a full member of Schengen as soon as possible” as this would strengthen the country's security.
At the same time, he said, “as a country that genuinely believes in European integration and European unification, we want to be at the core of the EU.”
“Just as we are part of the Euro, we want to be part of Schengen,” he said, adding that the Republic of Cyprus wants to be present in all areas of EU activity.
(Source: CNA)
