European Parliament backs Croatia’s Schengen accession

“In a report adopted with 534 in favour, 53 against, and 25 abstaining, the European Parliament approves of Croatia becoming a full member of the Schengen area,” it said in a press release.

Croatia underwent the most comprehensive evaluation for Schengen membership of any EU country so far, as it has met 281 recommendations in eight areas of the Schengen legislation, rapporteur Paulo Rangel said in the press release following the vote.

“The Commission and the Council have confirmed the country’s readiness to apply the Schengen rules in full. The European Parliament completely agrees: lifting internal border controls must happen by the end of this year,” he added.

The final decision to lift internal controls must be taken by the Council of the European Union, acting unanimously.

The Adriatic country of 3.9 million people will join the eurozone as its 20th member as of the beginning of the next year.

Elsewhere in Southeast Europe, EU member states Bulgaria and Romania too are awaiting a decision to join Schengen.