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The European Commission estimated on Tuesday (October 22nd) that Croatia was fulfilling the " necessary conditions " to integrate the area of free movement.
Following an assessment begun three years ago, the European Commission considers Croatia fit to enter the Schengen area. The Balkan country, the latest member of the European Union in 2013, has, according to Brussels, made sufficient progress in terms of police and judicial cooperation, as well as visa policy and data protection.
The Commission considers that Zagreb also has the necessary staff and infrastructure to control the external borders of the European Union.
Will the Croats then be able to travel without a visa in the Schengen area soon? Nothing is done yet. It is up to the Member States to give their final agreement, and they must do so unanimously, recalls our Brussels correspondent, Joana Hostein . The process can take years.
Romania and Bulgaria, which got the green light from the European Commission eight years ago, are still waiting. Some states such as the Netherlands, France and Germany doubt indeed their ability to ensure effective border control against illegal immigration and against various trafficking.
The Schengen area, one of the most concrete achievements of the European Union, currently consists of 26 countries, including 22 EU members. In addition to Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania, the other non-EU members are Cyprus, Ireland and the United Kingdom.