Analysis

EC: Croatia ready to join the Schengen area

Croatia is ready to join the Schengen area, the European Commission has confirmed. Based on the results of the country’s Schengen evaluation process initiated in 2016, Croatia has taken the measures needed to ensure that the necessary conditions for the full application of Schengen rules and standards.

The country will need to continue working on the implementation of all ongoing actions, in particular, its management of external borders, to ensure that these conditions continue to be met.

“I commend Croatia for its efforts and perseverance to meet all the necessary conditions to join Schengen,” said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. “It is only through being united and standing together that we can ensure a stronger Schengen area. Sharing the achievement of Schengen must be our common objective. This is why I trust that the Member States will take the right steps for Croatia to become a full Schengen member soon.”

“Schengen is one of the greatest and most tangible achievements of European integration,” added the Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos. “But its strength very much depends on its inclusiveness – now that Croatia has taken the measures to ensure that the necessary conditions are met, we must recognise this. Once it becomes a full Schengen member, it will contribute to further strengthening the Schengen area and ensure that the EU’s external borders are better protected.”