Ministers to approve Schengen extension

Summary:

EU interior ministers are expected to approve next week the lifting of land borders between the Schengen area and nine of the new member states from 21 December 2007.

The ministers’ approval at a meeting next week (8 November) follows agreement by experts from EU member states last week. They examined evaluations of the readiness of those countries wanting to join the Schengen area of border-free travel. Member states’ ambassadors to the EU will give their approval today (31 October).

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