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ČR ready to join Schengen system

Border checks likely to be abolished Dec. 21, Interior Ministry says

By Lisa Nuch Venbrux
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
October 31st, 2007 issue

Delegates from across Europe recently concluded that nine countries, including the Czech Republic, are ready to join the Schengen zone by the end of this year.
“[The Schengen expansion] is the result of long-term and intensive work by new EU states,” Interior Minister Ivan Langer said after meetings at Prague Castle Oct. 26–27. “It is a new kind of cooperation between the old and new EU states.”
The Schengen Agreement allows people legally inside the Schengen zone to move freely without being stopped at national borders. Member states agree to other conditions, including common visas and separate airport terminals. Currently, 15 countries are members.
“The most visible change for individual people will be without any doubt the abolition of border checks,” says Šárka Machotková of the Interior Ministry. “Everybody, including foreign nationals, will benefit from the right for free movement.”
With Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovenia slated to join at the same time, the Czech Republic will be surrounded by other member states, and checks will be removed along the entire land border of the country.
The removal of border checks have in the past caused concern among participating states, which worry about illegal immigration and compromised security. Machotková argues, however, that the benefits outweigh the risks.
“The history of the Schengen cooperation has proven that abolition of border checks has not increased criminality rates,” she says. “The Schengen enlargement may support cross-border traffic and movement within Europe, but more with regards to traveling than migration.”
Besides, she adds, “if any risk should arise, the government will have the possibility to temporarily reintroduce border controls.”
Countries also share information through the Schengen Information System (SIS), a computer network that allows police to access information on individuals and vehicles passing through any member state.
According to the ministry, the Czech Republic will likely join the zone Dec. 21 after getting approval from the EU Council for Justice and Home Affairs, which will make a decision at meetings Dec. 6 and 7.
Airport checks on passengers flying within the zone are set to be abolished at the end of March 2008.
— Hela Balínová contributed to this report.

Lisa Nuch Venbrux can be reached at lvenbrux@praguepost.com


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