BREGANA BORDER CROSSING, Croatia, Jan 1 (Portal) – Croatia heralded two historic changes at the turn of the year, when the European Union’s newest member joined both the EU’s Schengen border-free zone and the single euro currency, fulfilling longstanding ambitions of one close integration met with Europe.
At the Bregana border crossing into neighboring Slovenia, police removed signs at midnight and a barrier was raised for the last time before a placard reading ‘free passage’ was put up, symbolizing the end of border controls.
“When there are historical moments, special moments that should do us great honor and when we witness the achievement of strategic goals of a state – this is such a day,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic later said at a ceremony at the border on Sunday.
He was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who described it as “a day to celebrate”.
[1/2] A police member stands guard as the border is opened as Croatia enters the EU’s control-free Schengen area, in Bregana, Croatia January 1, 2023. Portal/Borut Zivulovic
“Today Croatia joins the Schengen area and the euro zone, two huge achievements for the newest member of the European Union, both achieved on the same day. So this is indeed a day for the history books.”
Plenkovic and von der Leyen later toured the capital, Zagreb, where they bought coffee at a café with euros, which replaced Croatia’s kuna currency. After a waiter brought their coffee to an outdoor table, Plenkovic paid with a handful of Euro bills while von der Leyen, sitting next to him, applauded.
Croatia joined the EU in 2013. It is the 27th country to join the Schengen area and the 20th to adopt the euro currency.
Finance Minister Marko Primorac last month touted the benefits of using the euro to lawmakers, saying it would strengthen the economy, improve the investment climate and make Croatia more resilient to external shocks.
Reporting by Antonio Bronic Writing by Peter Graff Editing by Frances Kerry
Our standards: The Thomson Portal Trust Principles.