Switzerland to enter Schengen

Switzerland will scrap its border checks with its EU neighbours by 2007 after a narrow majority of 54.6 per cent of Swiss voters opted to join the Schengen group of European nations.

The agreement abolishes passport checks on travellers and provides stronger controls on the area's outer fringe, as well as closer cooperation between police forces.

Swiss president Samuel Schmid hailed the referendum as favouring closer links with the rest of Europe.

“The government sees the people’s yes to Schengen as a confirmation of a bilateral approach to Europe,” Schmid said.

EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini welcomed the Swiss vote calling it an important step in strengthening relations.

“On the one hand, freedom of movement will obviously be facilitated; on the other hand, the cooperation on internal security can be strengthened,” they said in a joint statement.

European People's Party President Wilfried Martens welcomed the result .

“It is a positive message for Europe at a difficult time, when eurosceptics are trying to halt the EU integration process”, he said.

The Schengen area is named after the town in Luxembourg where the treaty was signed in 1985. The agreement includes 13 EU countries, not including Britain and Ireland.

The ten new EU members states have adopted the agreement, but have yet to implement it. Iceland and Norway also are in the zone.

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