The Schengen area is growing for the first time in 10 years.
The interior ministers meeting in Brussels
approved the entry of Croatia starting from 1 January
2023. The Czech presidency announced it on Twitter.
However, the debate on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area remains open.
The accession was vetoed by Austria.
"Congratulations to Croatia. To Bulgaria and Romania instead I say: you deserve to join, you have strong support from almost all Member States and the Commission. I express my disappointment and sadness, because
when we are not united we are weaker.
But I am convinced that we will achieve the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into this legislature and it will be my priority to make that happen."
This was stated by Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.
"Welcome Croatia.
Sincere congratulations to Croatia
, a new member of the Schengen area. An important and deserved step for the Croatian people. You have worked hard to achieve this goal."
So via Twitter the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
"In this year in which we have set ourselves important goals, we have achieved the strategic objectives of the government, which will benefit the Croatian citizens and our economy the most".
The Croatian prime minister, the conservative Andrej Plenković, wrote on Twitter after Croatia received the unanimous green light from the EU's Internal Affairs Council for entry into the Schengen area from 1 January.
On that same date, the Balkan country, a member of the EU since July 2013, will also join the Eurozone.