BREGANA BORDER CROSSING: Croatia – Croatia experienced two historic changes with the new year, as the European Union’s youngest member joined both the European Union Without Borders Schengen zone and the common euro currency, responding to the long-standing ambitions of close integration with Europe.
At the Bregana border post with neighboring Slovenia, police removed signs at midnight and a barrier was lifted one last time, before a sign reading ‘free passage’ was put up, symbolizing the end of border controls .
“If there are historical moments, special moments that should give us great honor and when we witness the achievement of a state’s strategic goals, it is such a day,” Prime Minister Andrej said. Plenkovic said at a ceremony at the border later Sunday.
He was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who hailed it as “a day to celebrate”.
“Today Croatia joins the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, two huge achievements for the youngest member state of the European Union and both achieved on the same day. So, indeed, it is a day for history books.”
Plenkovic and by last Leyen then visited the capital Zagreb where they bought coffee at a cafe using euros, which replaced the Croatian kuna currency. After a waiter brought his coffees to an outside table, Plenkovic paid with a handful of euro banknotes, while von der Leyen, seated next to him, clapped.
Croatia joined the EU in 2013. It becomes the 27th country to join the Schengen area, and the 20th to adopt the euro.
Finance Minister Marko Primorac touted the benefits of using the euro to lawmakers last month, saying it would strengthen the economy, improve the investment climate and make Croatia more resilient to external shocks .
At the Bregana border post with neighboring Slovenia, police removed signs at midnight and a barrier was lifted one last time, before a sign reading ‘free passage’ was put up, symbolizing the end of border controls .
“If there are historical moments, special moments that should give us great honor and when we witness the achievement of a state’s strategic goals, it is such a day,” Prime Minister Andrej said. Plenkovic said at a ceremony at the border later Sunday.
He was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who hailed it as “a day to celebrate”.
“Today Croatia joins the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, two huge achievements for the youngest member state of the European Union and both achieved on the same day. So, indeed, it is a day for history books.”
Plenkovic and by last Leyen then visited the capital Zagreb where they bought coffee at a cafe using euros, which replaced the Croatian kuna currency. After a waiter brought his coffees to an outside table, Plenkovic paid with a handful of euro banknotes, while von der Leyen, seated next to him, clapped.
Croatia joined the EU in 2013. It becomes the 27th country to join the Schengen area, and the 20th to adopt the euro.
Finance Minister Marko Primorac touted the benefits of using the euro to lawmakers last month, saying it would strengthen the economy, improve the investment climate and make Croatia more resilient to external shocks .
