By Elisavet Georgiou
Cyprus is undergoing a final round of assessments by a team of roughly 25 European Commission evaluators as the country seeks to join the Schengen Zone. The delegation includes experts from several EU member states, along with police officials and representatives from Frontex.
The team is conducting the last set of checks required to determine whether Cyprus has met its obligations under the Schengen acquis and has put in place the necessary security structures.
According to information available, evaluators are reviewing the country’s operational and policing systems, internal security framework, and measures related to personal data protection and human rights. They are also examining procedures within the Deputy Ministry of Migration. Because of the scope of the review, the team visited independent state authorities, including the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and the Office of the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, to assess compliance with EU standards on transparency, governance and fundamental rights.
The mission returned to the island on Tuesday and will continue Wednesday with specialized inspections focusing on the return of foreign nationals, a key element of the evaluation because it reflects the country’s capacity to manage migration effectively.
Nicosia is now awaiting the European Commission’s official report, which may include specific recommendations.
Successful completion of the inspections is considered critical for Cyprus, as it would clear the way for one of the most significant steps in its recent European trajectory: entry into the Schengen Zone. With the assessment nearing its end and early indications appearing positive, Cyprus is seen as closer than ever to the long-anticipated accession, a move expected to influence the country’s international standing.
