One step closer to entry into the Schengen Area.
Starting from today, the Croatian police and security services have access to the Schengen Information System (SIS) which will, according to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, increase the efficiency and credibility of the Croatian police and security services which cooperate with partner countries, reports Večernji List on June 27, 2017.
The Schengen Information System was presented on Tuesday to Croatian Prime Minister, the Interior Minister and the press at the Bregana border crossing. This is considered a significant step in meeting the criteria for Croatia’s entry into the Schengen Area.
The information system enables access to the primary tool for cooperation with the Schengen Area police forces. About 200,000 wanted persons, vehicles, documents and objects are found annually through this system. It contains more than 70 million data that countries with access rights can search and check. The implementation of the scheme in Croatia was financed by the European Union funds in the amount of five million euros.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that Croatia’s entry into the system is one step in the inclusion of Croatia into the Schengen Area. “The fact that our services, the police, diplomatic representatives, can check and search for information will increase the efficiency of the Croatian police and security services and thus give us more insight into everything that exists at the EU level,” said the Prime Minister.
In addition to Croatia having access to the Schengen Information System starting from today, the border check post at the Bregana border crossing has recently been moved from the Slovenian to the Croatian side, which will enable faster processing of people and greater flow of vehicles and passengers during the tourist season.
This agreement between the Croatian and Slovenian police, according to Plenković, is part of the deal reached after a recent meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The danger of creating large traffic jams at borders was evident during the Easter holidays, but thanks to a reasonable approach by both the Croatian and the Slovenian side, as well as by the European Commission, we have agreed on a border control regime that has demonstrated that we control the security issues, the Prime Minister said. Our police officers have enough experience that they can quickly identify which type of vehicles should be selected for more details checks.
The Prime Minister added that there was no direct link between long waiting times at border crossings and recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, London, Manchester and Paris. “However, terrorism is a reality, and we need to have a very serious response, that we share in cooperation with other EU members, while at the same time taking into account national and economic interests. A country located at an important geopolitical position must enable good transport links to Eastern Europe and easy entry of tourists into Croatia,” he said.
For the entry into the Schengen Information System, Plenković said that it was an important step forward which will enable the authorities to continue working actively to meet all the criteria necessary for entry into the Schengen Area. The SIS evaluation, which will take place in September, will be part of an open dialogue process with the European Commission’s representatives. Additional reports are expected at the end of the year, followed by a strong political-diplomatic initiative to achieve this goal.
Interior Minister Davor Božinović said that, by joining the SIS, the level of security in Croatia had been raised to a higher standard, which is important for the protection of Croatian citizens and visitors. The Minister also said that the move of the border control post at Bregana was made after it became apparent that using a common control post prevented proper flow of travellers.
