External border of the European Union

The northern part of Cyprus is legally part of the EU, but law is suspended due to it being under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a self-proclaimed de facto state which is recognized only by Turkey.

The two entities are separated by the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus, which serves as a de facto boundary between them.

In 2004 the European Union developed the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) for the promotion of cooperation between the EU and its neighbours to the east and south of the European territory of the EU (i.e., excluding its outermost regions outside of Europe),[2] which, in part, includes the Cross-Border Cooperation programme aimed at the promotion of economic development in border areas and ensuring border security.

[3] The Border and Coast Guard Agency, more commonly known as Frontex, was established in 2004.

Its main task is external border control of the Schengen Area.