Cyprus is technically ready to become a full member of the Schengen area, but a political agreement among EU partners is still needed, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides said in Luxembourg.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, Ioannides said all recommendations made by the European Commission are now considered to have been implemented.
“From a technical perspective, Cyprus is ready to become a full member of the Schengen area,” he said, adding that Nicosia is counting on the support of its EU partners in the coming months.
Political stage remains for Cyprus
The latest comments indicate that Cyprus’ Schengen membership has moved beyond the technical requirements identified by the European Commission, with the remaining step being political agreement.
Ioannides also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Austria, Finland and the Netherlands during the Luxembourg Council meeting, with Cyprus’ Schengen accession among the issues discussed.
The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council also discussed the overall state of the Schengen area on October 1, alongside migration issues, including cooperation with non-EU countries on readmissions and measures to improve situational awareness and early-warning capabilities.
Cyprus backs EU support for Spain
Turning to migration pressures, Ioannides expressed Cyprus’ solidarity with Spain following the recent crisis in Ceuta.
He said that when a member state faces massive migratory flows, the EU and its members should provide tangible support and act in a coordinated manner to protect EU territory and the Schengen area.
Calls for discussion on mass arrivals
Asked whether additional EU regulations are required, Ioannides pointed to the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which includes provisions covering situations of force majeure.
He said discussions were also taking place on a possible new crisis-management mechanism to address situations not fully covered by the existing framework.
Regarding the possibility of temporarily suspending asylum applications during mass arrivals, Ioannides said this was part of the same discussion, particularly in cases where migrants do not submit asylum applications.
“We are open to discussion and we are willing to support any initiatives that will enable us to address effectively any such cases of mass migratory flows,” he said.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact entered into application on June 12, 2026.
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