The European Council concluded on 9 December 2021 that Croatia fulfills the conditions to apply all parts of the Schengen acquis. The Council had to establish this first in order to be able to decide on the lifting of internal border controls.
Since joining the EU, Croatia applies the provisions of the Schengen acquis, with the exception of the lifting of internal border controls. According to Croatia's Act of Accession, internal border controls cannot be lifted until the Council so decides, after it has been established, in accordance with the Schengen evaluation procedures, that Croatia fulfills the conditions.
The Schengen evaluation of Croatia took place between 2016 and 2020. In October 2019, according to the Commission, Croatia had taken the necessary measures to fulfill the conditions for the full application of the Schengen acquis. In February 2021, the final action plan for the evaluated areas was completed.
With its conclusions, the Council formally notes that Croatia fulfills the necessary conditions. The adoption of these conclusions is without prejudice to the adoption of the Council Decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis.
Schengen acquis
The Schengen Agreement aims to phase out checks at the common borders between the 26 participating countries. In addition, the agreement provides for the establishment of a free movement regime for all citizens of the participating states, the other states of the European Union and a number of third countries. The agreement and all related agreements together form the so-called 'Schengen acquis'.
Source: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/
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