Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Friday, President Nikos Christodoulides outlined three priorities for Cyprus at this week’s European Council: relief from high energy prices, accelerated approval of Cyprus’ Schengen membership and progress on the under-sea power cable linking the island with Greece. Of the trio, Schengen is what global-mobility managers care about most. Christodoulides told Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that all technical files are closed and asked for the issue to reach ministers in December. He also met leaders from Spain, Italy and Malta to explore a common front on migration reforms that could reassure northern states worried about external border pressure. The president hinted that the EU may twin Cyprus’ Schengen entry with fresh funding for returns and asylum-processing capacity. Beyond passport control, Christodoulides pitched the Great Sea Interconnector power-cable as a strategic energy-security project that needs EU political backing in the face of Turkish objections to survey work. While not a mobility issue per se, the project underscores Cyprus’ argument that Schengen membership would anchor the island more firmly in the EU’s single market and security architecture. Analysts say the diplomatic charm-offensive is timed to shape Council conclusions that are being drafted this month. Companies moving staff through Cyprus should monitor December’s JHA agenda for signs that the request has made it onto the formal voting schedule.
Source: KNEWS
