How to improve Cyprus' disadvantageous position over lack of Schengen membership

The first panel at the TechIsland Summit in Limassol examined, 'Talent mobility: The Cyprus paradox' where, compared to other hubs, Cyprus is in a disadvantageous position due to the lack of Schengen membership.

The panellists discussed how this minimises travel mobility and accessibility for highly skilled professionals choosing to relocate to the island and put forward ideas on potential solutions.

The panel was made up of Harris Georgiades, Member of the Parliament Of The Republic Of Cyprus, Chairman of The Foreign and European Affairs Committee and Former Minister Of Finance, Aristos Damianou, Member of the Parliament Republic Of Cyprus & Chairman of Interior Affairs Committee and Valentinos Polykarpou, Chairman of TechIsland & General Manager at Wargaming. Chrysanthos Tsouroullis, CEO of Dias Media Group & Sigma TV was the Moderator.

Starting off the discussion, Polykarpou noted that the Blue Card, which would improve mobility for entitled holders based in Cyprus, would be a significant improvement.

Georgiades agreed that Cyprus could not rest on its laurels and needed to ensure its 'product' was as attractive as possible. He also suggested that the Turkish occupation, while an obstacle to joining Schengen for Cyprus, was not an insurmountable one, as this same obstacle had not prevented the island from joining the EU.

"We need to make joining Schengen a political priority, we need to do our homework," he said, adding that this would not only improve mobility for third-country nationals but also for Cypriots.

Damianou cautioned that full implementation of the Schengen Visa would, however, be difficult due to the ongoing occupation, "But other things can be done."

He described the Blue Card as the Plan B.

Damianou said that discussion at the House Committee was continuing on this, and suggested the relevant legislation could be ready before the House closed for the summer recess and definitely by the time it reopened in September.

Polykarpou underlined that the number of Blue Cards that would be made available was very important, saying TechIsland would make a formal suggestion that the government take into account the high number of skilled third-country nationals already living legally in Cyprus and begin with a large number of cards, if needed, reducing the number as it went on.

"We need to be competitive compared to other countries like Germany and Lithuania, they are looking forward to welcoming third-country nationals to the tech sector," he cautioned.

Polykarpou underlined that this action would benefit Cyprus as a whole while Georgiades noted that this was one of the issues that enjoyed strong cross-party consensus.

Tsouroullis revealed that government sources had confirmed to him that the fact the bill on the Blue Card had been sent to parliament was an indication of the government's commitment to the issue.

Polykarpou also reminded the panel and audience that people, including families, were behind the issues impacting third-country nationals in Cyprus. He also listed, as well as mobility, the issues of a lack of English-speaking schools and affordable housing, noting positive changes would also benefit the local community.

The panellists, meanwhile, also agreed, that bureaucracy needed to be reduced