Croatia starts procedures to join Schengen
First EU evaluation in 2016, decisions expected by mid-2017
02 July, 15:32
(ANSA) - ZAGREB - Two years after its full EU membership, Croatia has formally launched yesterday the procedure to enter the area of free movement of people, known as the Schengen area. This step was announced by Croatia's Interior Ministry.
According to the Accession Treaty, yesterday was the first 'deadline' set for the country to start the procedures to join Schengen. First of all, the government in Zagreb is expected to answer, by the beginning of August, a long questionnaire regarding the progress made in fulfilling the standards which the country has to meet in order to join Schengen. The EC has announced that its first evaluation visit will take plase at the beginning of 2016, while the procedure is expected to end by mid- 2017.(ANSA).
