German official says Baltic states ready to join Schengen

  • 2007-06-27
  • from wire reports

German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble reportedly saidon June 26 that nine new EU member states, including the three Baltic states, will be ready to join the Schengen zone by the end of theyear.

"There is no reason to doubt that any of the countries wouldbe unable to join Schengen by the end of the year," he said.

The minister added that there are still problems thatcountries have to solve on an individual basis with regards to aligning borderand customs security standards with Schengen zone members, noting concernsamong many old member states about security.