Latest news with #NikosChristodoulides
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Much-loved European holiday island to join Schengen Area next year and why it's bad news for Brits
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CYPRUS has revealed plans to join the Schengen Area - but it won't be good news for British holidaymakers. The popular island that sees around 1.3 million Brits visiting each year has announced it hopes to join the zone in 2026 meaning that holiday rules will change. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The President of Cyprus revealed the countries plans to join the Schengen Area Credit: Alamy 4 The island is popular with Brits - but the change will impact potential holidays The Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries that have abolished border controls for other EU countries. These include 25 EU member states, as well as four non-EU countries; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Essentially, the Schengen Area is a passport-free travel zone, which allows people to move between participating countries without border checks. But there are strict rules that Cyprus will have to adhere to when they join. And for Brits, that means a limited time to stay there. The rules state that a total stay in the Schengen Area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit as the 180 day period keeps rolling. Currently, a visit Cyprus does not count towards your 90 day limit. So any time you spend in the Schengen Area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus - but this will change when they join. President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus recently announced that the island will "enter the Schengen Zone in 2026.' He added: 'A huge effort is being made, we will complete all the technicalities we need." All the free activities Cyprus has to offer 4 Millions of Brits head to Cyprus every year for a holiday Credit: Alamy Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 but unlike other countries, did not join the Schengen Area at the same time. This means that Cypriots face border checks and visa issues when travelling to surrounding EU countries. For Cyprus, joining the Schengen Area will mean locals can access the country with more ease and without extra border checks. For Cypriots, the move will be beneficial for trade as it allows goods to flow more easily between countries without custom checks at internal borders. The timing will coincide with the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The new system is being introduced as part of enhanced security measures for travellers. The new system that will require non-EU travellers to get approval beforehand. For Brits, you will need one of these to go into any of the Schengen Area nations. Currently, the only EU states that aren't members of the Schengen Area are Ireland and Cyprus. Here's more on the ETIAS rules and how to prepare for when they come into play. And the European destination that is warmest in May with 26C highs and 'wine villages'. Here's A List Of Non-Schengen Countries United Kingdom Ireland Albania Armenia Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Cyprus Georgia Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Russia Serbia Turkey Ukraine
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Much-loved European holiday island to join Schengen Area next year and why it's bad news for Brits
CYPRUS has revealed plans to join the Schengen Area - but it won't be good news for British holidaymakers. The popular island that sees around 1.3 million Brits visiting each year has announced it hopes to join the zone in 2026 meaning that holiday rules will change. Advertisement 4 The President of Cyprus revealed the countries plans to join the Schengen Area Credit: Alamy 4 The island is popular with Brits - but the change will impact potential holidays The These include 25 EU member states, as well as four non-EU countries; Iceland, Essentially, the Schengen Area is a passport-free travel zone, which allows people to move between participating countries without border checks. But there are strict rules that Advertisement Read More on Cyprus The rules state that a total stay in the It does not matter how many countries you visit as the 180 day period keeps rolling. Currently, a visit So any time you spend in the Schengen Area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Advertisement Most read in News Travel President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus recently announced that the island will "enter the Schengen Zone in 2026.' He added: 'A huge effort is being made, we will complete all the technicalities we need." All the free activities Cyprus has to offer 4 Millions of Brits head to Cyprus every year for a holiday Credit: Alamy Advertisement This means that Cypriots face border checks and visa issues when travelling to surrounding EU countries. For Cyprus, joining the Schengen Area will mean locals can access the country with more ease and without extra border checks. For Cypriots, the move will be beneficial for trade as it allows goods to flow more easily between countries without custom checks at internal borders. The timing will coincide with the launch of the Advertisement The new syste m is being introduced as part of enhanced security measures for travellers . The new system that will require non-EU travellers to get approval beforehand. For Brits, you will need one of these to go into any of the Schengen Area nations. Currently, the only EU states that aren't members of the Schengen Area are Ireland and Cyprus. Advertisement Here's more on the And the Here's A List Of Non-Schengen Countries United Kingdom Ireland Albania Armenia Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Cyprus Georgia Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Russia Serbia Turkey Ukraine 4 Cyprus is one of the last countries in the EU to join the Schengen Area Credit: Alamy
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Much-loved European holiday island to join Schengen Area next year and why it's bad news for Brits
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter Published: Invalid Date, CYPRUS has revealed plans to join the Schengen Area - but it won't be good news for British holidaymakers. The popular island that sees around 1.3 million Brits visiting each year has announced it hopes to join the zone in 2026 meaning that holiday rules will change. 4 4 The Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries that have abolished border controls for other EU countries. These include 25 EU member states, as well as four non-EU countries; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Essentially, the Schengen Area is a passport-free travel zone, which allows people to move between participating countries without border checks. But there are strict rules that Cyprus will have to adhere to when they join. And for Brits, that means a limited time to stay there. The rules state that a total stay in the Schengen Area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit as the 180 day period keeps rolling. Currently, a visit Cyprus does not count towards your 90 day limit. So any time you spend in the Schengen Area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus - but this will change when they join. President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus recently announced that the island will "enter the Schengen Zone in 2026.' He added: 'A huge effort is being made, we will complete all the technicalities we need." All the free activities Cyprus has to offer 4 Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 but unlike other countries, did not join the Schengen Area at the same time. This means that Cypriots face border checks and visa issues when travelling to surrounding EU countries. For Cyprus, joining the Schengen Area will mean locals can access the country with more ease and without extra border checks. For Cypriots, the move will be beneficial for trade as it allows goods to flow more easily between countries without custom checks at internal borders. The timing will coincide with the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The new system is being introduced as part of enhanced security measures for travellers. The new system that will require non-EU travellers to get approval beforehand. For Brits, you will need one of these to go into any of the Schengen Area nations. Currently, the only EU states that aren't members of the Schengen Area are Ireland and Cyprus. And the European destination that is warmest in May with 26C highs and 'wine villages'. 4
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
UN envoy for Cyprus pushes for trust-building measures ahead of talks
A newly appointed U.N. envoy for Cyprus said Saturday she'll work hard to ensure concrete progress in measures to build trust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in hopes of reviving moribund talks to heal the island nation's half-century ethnic division. Maria Angela Holguin said her weeklong stay in Cyprus aims to generate tangible results ahead of a July meeting in Geneva that will bring together U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, along with top diplomats from Greece, Turkey and the U.K. Negotiations have been stalled since 2017. Trust-building measures include talks on opening new crossing points along a 180-kilometer (120-mile) U.N. control buffer zone that divides a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north from a Greek Cypriot south, where the internationally-recognized government is seated. Other measures that Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar agreed to implement in front of Guterres during a March meeting in Geneva included work on a photovoltaic park inside the buffer zone, demining and restoration work on cemeteries on either side of the divide. Cyprus was split in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by Athens junta-backed supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island's northern third. Holguin said Guterres 'continues to push' for a resumption of Cyprus peace talks. But that prospect faces a difficult hurdle in the form of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot insistence on a peace deal based on two equal states, instead of a federation composed of Greek and Turkish speaking zones that formed the basis of decades of U.N.-mediated negotiations. While Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots say the federation idea is now bankrupt, Greek Cypriots say they won't assent to any accord that formally partitions the island, allows for a permanent Turkish troop presence, gives Turkey rights to militarily intervene and offers the minority Turkish Cypriots a veto right on all government decisions. Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said despite any hurdles, the fact of Holguin's appointment indicates that the U.N. consider the resumption of peace talks 'completely feasible.'
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Selling Greek Cypriot property in the breakaway north of split Cyprus? You could end up in court
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus won't stop launching legal proceedings against realtors and developers who illegally make money off Greek Cypriot properties in the breakaway north of the ethnically divided island nation, with four such cases currently being adjudicated, an official said Friday. A Ukrainian man, a German national and two Israelis — among them real estate developer Simon Aykut — are being tried on a variety of charges including illegally advertising the sale of Greek Cypriot property, illegal possession and use of such property and conspiracy. All four defendants remain in custody. The properties are in areas along Cyprus' northern and eastern coastlines near the towns of Kyrenia and Famagusta in villages such as Akanthou and Ayios Amvrosios (Tatlisu and Esentepe in Turkish respectively) that are popular with foreign buyers because of their idyllic surroundings. Property rights are a deeply contentious issue in Cyprus, which was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at uniting the island with Greece. Some 160,000 Greek Cypriots subsequently fled the north where Turkish Cypriots declared independence that only Turkey recognizes. Around 45,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the south, where the internationally recognized government is seated, moved to the north. Property has been a core issue over decades of failed, United Nations mediated peace talks. The EU's top court as well as the European Court of Human Rights have affirmed the Greek Cypriots' rights to property ownership in the north. But the ECHR has also backed the establishment of a Turkish Cypriot property commission to which Greek Cypriots can apply to either be compensated for their property or reclaim it. But a recent boom in construction of luxury villas and apartments in the north has prompted Cypriot legal authorities to take a more assertive stance toward realtors and developers to discourage what they say is the large-scale 'illegal usurpation' of Greek Cypriot land. 'It's not just a few homes being built on Greek Cypriot property, we're now seeing entire complexes being constructed,' a lawyer with knowledge of the pending cases told The Associated Press. 'And the ongoing legal action has clearly had an effect on foreigners who are now more reluctant to get involved.' The lawyer spoke on condition of anonymity because they can't discuss the matter publicly. Last week, a Cypriot court sentenced two Hungarian women to 30 month and 15 month jail sentences respectively for advertising the sale of Greek Cypriot property in the north online. 'The exploitation of property that belongs to displaced Cypriots for financial gain is, from any perspective, unacceptable and condemnable,' the court said in its decision. The court also suggested that such exploitation could risk harming future peace talks by adversely complicating the property issue. The island's Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said this week that although the executive branch doesn't interfere in the work of the judiciary, the prosecutions are ultimately a message to all those involved in the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the north that 'what they're doing is an illegal act and are prosecuted for it.' 'The right to property is an individual matter and the owner of the property is the one who should decide what to do with it, nothing more,' he said. But the court cases have sparked a furor among Turkish Cypriot leaders who view it as a hostile attempt to undercut their community's economic development. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar called the prosecutions a 'terrorist act' against Turkish Cypriots in defiance of international law, aiming to 'weaken them legally and politically' on top of harming their economic prospects. He also warned that the court actions 'won't go unanswered.'
