At the December meeting of the EU Council, Cyprus was not included in the Schengen area. The country is provided with an additional list of requirements, the fulfillment of which is mandatory for entry.

Despite the fact that the country has already fulfilled an important requirement – it has joined the Schengen Information System (SIS), the issues of combating corruption and organized crime, as well as the status of the “Green Line”, which should become the external border of the EU, remain unresolved.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Konstantinos Kombos noted that joining the Schengen area remains a priority in the country’s foreign policy and expects to achieve a positive result by the end of 2025.

At the moment, holders of a Cypriot residence permit still need a Schengen visa to travel to Europe.

Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU countries outside the Schengen area.

@russiancyprusnews