The Schengen Area is a zone that comprises 26 European countries that have abolished internal border controls for the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, and services. It is named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, where the agreement was signed in 1985. Croatia, a country situated in Southeast Europe, is not currently a member of the Schengen Area. In this article, we will explore Croatia’s relationship with the Schengen Area. Why it is not a member? And when will it join?
Why is Croatia not a member of Schengen Countries?
Croatia became a full member of the European Union (EU) on July 1, 2013. But it is not yet a member of the Schengen Area. The reason for this is that Croatia has not yet met all the necessary conditions for Schengen membership. Croatia has been working to meet these conditions since it became a member of the EU.
The Schengen Agreement has set out specific requirements that countries must meet before becoming members of the Schengen Area. These requirements include having secure borders. Ensuring that their police and judicial systems are effective, and implementing measures to combat cross-border crime and terrorism. Croatia has made significant progress in meeting these requirements, but it has not yet met them all.
In 2015, the European Commission confirmed that Croatia had met the technical requirements for Schengen membership. However, due to political reasons, it was not allowed to join at that time. There was opposition from some EU member states, who were concerned about Croatia’s ability to control its borders effectively, particularly in light of the refugee crisis at that time.
When will they join?
Croatia has been working hard to meet all the necessary conditions for Schengen membership, and we expect that Croatia will soon join the Schengen Area as a new member. However, there is no specific timeline for this, as it depends on the EU’s decision-making process.
In June 2020, the European Commission published a report that concluded that Croatia had fulfilled all the necessary requirements for joining the Schengen Area. The report acknowledged that Croatia had made significant progress in improving its border management and had demonstrated its ability to effectively manage its external borders.
The decision on whether to allow Croatia to join the Schengen Area will be made by the EU member states. All EU member states must agree to allow a new country to join the Schengen Area. In the past, some member states have been reluctant to allow new countries to join due to concerns about migration and border security. However, the EU has recently taken steps to address these concerns, including implementing stronger external border controls and a common European asylum system.
Benefits of Croatia Joining the Schengen Area
Croatia joining the Schengen Area will have several benefits for the country and the EU as a whole. Firstly, it will simplify travel for Croatian citizens and residents. Who will no longer have to go through passport controls when traveling within the Schengen Area. This will also make it easier for tourists and business travelers to visit Croatia.
Secondly, joining the Schengen Area will increase Croatia’s economic integration with the rest of the EU. This will lead to increased trade, investment, and job opportunities for Croatian businesses and workers.
Thirdly, it will strengthen the EU’s external borders and help to combat cross-border crime and terrorism. Croatia has made significant progress in improving its border management and will be able to contribute to the EU’s efforts to combat these issues.
In summary, Croatia is not currently a member of the Schengen Area, but it has made significant progress in meeting the necessary requirements for membership.
