Switzerland completes its accession to the Schengen area 29 March
On 29 March 2009, Switzerland will conclude the process of its accession to the Schengen area. Following abolition of border checks at the land borders on 12 December 2009, border checks will be lifted on 29 March 2009 also at international airports on flights within the Schengen area.
Fulfilment of Schengen rules applying to international airports was confirmed by a team of experts which visited Switzerland on 9 - 13 February and verified progress in application of Schengen standard made since the evaluation carried out in August 2008.
The Council Working Party on Schengen Evaluation was informed about results of the expert group at its meeting on 17 March and confirmed the findings of experts.
Abolition of border checks at the air borders on 29 March 2009 was foreseen by Council Decision of 27 November 2008 on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Swiss Confederation (Nr. 2008/903/EC), but preconditioned by a successful result of the re-visit.
Already on 27 March, Zürich airport will host celebrations on concluding the Switzerland´s entry into the Schengen area. Schengen States will be represented by the Czech Minister of the Interior Ivan Langer, current President of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (resp. part concerning home affairs).
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