Visegrad presidents reject alleged efforts at Schengen zone delay

The presidents of the Visegrad Four (the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary) have rejected possible efforts to delay the four countries joining the Schengen zone by the end of 2008. According to some reports, Austria is allegedly seeking a temporary buffer period to delay the abolishment of controls on its borders. Hungary's President Lazslo Soloym called on the governments of the four countries to counter the Austrian position, calling even a temporary delay "unacceptable". By contrast, over the two-day summit the presidents, including the Czech Republic's Vaclav Klaus, agreed their countries were fully ready to join the zone and accept full membership responsibilities.

Author: Jan Velinger