By This post is also available in: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
The Republic of Cyprus has begun taking steps towards joining the Schengen Area. This issue is currently being discussed. However, the institutions in the north that are playing dead regarding this matter are the Presidency, the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nowadays, they are fervently defending the Immovable Property Commission—out of necessity—which they opposed in the past. You will see it for yourself that soon they will try to defend the Green Line Regulation, which has never been to their liking, with the same fervour when it comes to the Schengen issue.
Yet, once the deed is done, there will be little meaning to those words because this is an EU Regulation introduced by the EU to promote the development of relations between the two communities, following the ‘Yes’ vote of Turkish Cypriots in the 24 April 2004 Referendum in favour of the UN Settlement Plan—just as the European Court of Human Rights adopted the Immovable Property Commission as a fundamental path. This Regulation provided the Turkish Cypriot community with the chance to breathe under conditions of impasse regarding crossings and economic relations. Hardliners of both the south and north made efforts to repeal this Regulation. Yet, they failed. Now, the same hardliners in the south are taking advantage of the Green Line Regulation instead of bypassing it while taking steps towards the Schengen Area.
However, the most intriguing of all is the inaction of the presidency, prime ministry, and the ministry of foreign affairs in Northern Cyprus, which claims to govern the community. Meanwhile, Turkey and its people are rightfully demanding the opportunity to travel to Europe without having to apply for a visa. In my opinion, this issue will eventually be resolved between Turkey and the EU. What about the Turkish Cypriots, though? Will they stand by and watch as the economic and humanitarian benefits they have gained through the Green Line Regulation, along with their freedom of movement, are undermined? Will they disregard the benefits this brings to tourism, trade, industry, and small businesses? What about the people born from mixed marriages and the spouses in these marriages—will their ability to travel south come to a halt due to Schengen restrictions? Another topic to cause division within us. What will happen to the sale of goods and services, vehicle crossings, and tourists coming from the south?
Let us not forget that when the United Kingdom left the EU due to Brexit, the issue was discussed by Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the EU. Agreements that include derogations, or exceptional arrangements, were made to ensure the right of people living in Ireland, an EU country, and Northern Ireland to travel from the UK, which left the EU, to Ireland, an EU member, and to maintain their economic and social ties. This is because people living in Ireland and Northern Ireland, along with the British public, contributed to bringing the parties together despite the EU’s political institutions’ reaction to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. In other words, they sought a solution.
However, the political authorities of the north remain indifferent to the issue. There is no explanation to this. Turkey fulfilled 65 of the 72 legal and administrative conditions required for visa-free travel to Europe in a very short time, by 2016. However, since then, it has not implemented the remaining 6-7 regulations. Today, it is making efforts to overcome this. It is unfair that Kosovo, Albania, and Georgia have visa-free travel, while Romania and Bulgaria are part of the Schengen Area, and Turkey keeps remaining in a disadvantageous position. Moreover, despite their differences, Turkey and Greece have created an important humanitarian and economic opportunity by granting visas at the border to Turkish and Greek citizens for purposes of tourism and travel, enabling them to take journeys without any problems.
Given this reality, it is inappropriate for the two communities in Cyprus—whose mother tongues are Greek and Turkish— to undermine the gains they have achieved through the Green Line Agreement due to narrow ideological reasons. This is not merely about preserving these conditions. On the contrary, they must become more inclusive for all people living in Cyprus who consider this their homeland. This can only be achieved through a mutually acceptable agreement based on UN Parameters, including the resolution of the property issue. Turkey will eventually overcome the visa issue with Europe. So, will we squander this achievement in a reckless and careless manner?
This article was originally published on 22.05.2025
Source: JOINING THE SCHENGEN
