Croatia witnessed two historic changes with the advent of the new year, as the newest member state of the European Union joined the countries of the Schengen area of ​​​​open borders of the Union, and also adopted the single European currency (the euro), achieving its long-cherished ambitions to enhance its integration with Europe.

At the Bregana border crossing with Slovenia, the police removed some signs in the middle of the night, and a barrier was raised for the last time, before a sign reading "Freedom of passage is guaranteed", indicating the end of border checks, provided that internal air barriers will be lifted on March 26.

"If there are historical moments, defining moments that should give us great honor and when we witness the realization of the country's strategic goals, this is the day," Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at a ceremony at the border later on Sunday.


History day

For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Croatia's accession to the Schengen areas and the euro represents a historic day and a testimony to Zagreb's journey for independence and joining Europe.

"Today Croatia joins the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, two great achievements for the newest member state of the European Union, both achieved on the same day, so this is definitely a day for the history books," she added.

Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and is now the 27th country to join the Schengen Area and the 20th to adopt the euro.

Croatian Finance Minister Marko Primorac hailed the advantages of using the euro in a meeting with lawmakers last December, saying it would boost the economy, improve the investment climate and make Croatia more resistant to external shocks.

Croatian Prime Minister during his meeting with the President of the European Commission in Zagreb (Anadolu Agency)

Maastricht Convention

On July 1, 2013, Croatia joined the European Union, which was established after the signing of the 1991 Maastricht Agreement.

The country's historic transformation includes abandoning the local Croatian currency (kuna) to the euro, and the exchange between the two currencies will take place in Croatian banks for free until the end of 2023.

The "Schengen" agreement was signed in 1985 and its implementation began in 1995. The Schengen area includes 26 countries, including 4 countries outside the European Union (Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland), and it must be fully unanimous for the accession of any new country, and about 400 people live in this region. One million people, and the length of the borders of the external region reaches 50 thousand kilometers.