Schengen agreement opens up Europe
31 March 2008Making your way through Europe has become that bit easier now that nine more countries have joined the Schengen agreement.
Passport controls at airports are now a thing of the past for much of eastern Europe including Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.
It is hoped that the new rules will encourage more tourists to visit eastern Europe on holiday and help to boost the economy of these countries.
"It's a very important day," Michal Marzec, director of Poland's PPL airports operator, told AFP.
"We're completing our accession to the Schengen zone," he said.
Travellers are also set to benefit from the agreement after a number of countries pledged to revamp or expand their airports in preparation for the expected increase in passengers.
Tallinn, Warsaw, Prague and Budapest have all expanded their airports and built new terminals to welcome visitors.
By 2011, Bulgaria and Romania have pledged to have prepared their travel hubs for joining the agreement.