Brussels, 15/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – “We had the opportunity to discuss with the President of the Commission the question of readiness of the Republic of Cyprus for full accession to Schengen”, said Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, at a press briefing with European journalists in Limassol on Thursday 15 January. “I would like to thank the Presidency for the excellent cooperation we have had with the European Commission. We look forward to further real progress for access in 2026”, he added. Cyprus, along with Ireland, is the only EU country that is not a member of Schengen, given its territorial situation. A proposal for integration could happen this year, possibly during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, once the European Commission has drawn up positive technical reports on the preparations undertaken by Cyprus. Cyprus has already joined the Schengen Information System, becoming a part of it in 2023 (SP with CG)