Croatia joins both the Schengen Area and the Eurozone on the first day of 2023

In his speech, Gordan Grlic Radman, former Croatian Ambassador in Budapest, described the accession to the Schengen area as a historic step for both countries, also in the Hungarian language. He said that his country has achieved two strategic goals with this day, as not only the Schengen rules have entered into force at the internal borders, but Croatia has also become a member of the Eurozone.

He added that when he was ambassador in Budapest - between 2012 and 2017 - his country became a member of the European Union, and now, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he can announce that Croatia has joined the Schengen area, which means full freedom of movement within the EU.

This will facilitate and at the same time improve and promote cross-border cooperation. "It is a huge economic step forward for two nations with 800 years of shared history," the Croatian politician praised.

According to Gordan Grlic Radman, free border crossing is a big step forward for people who own property on the other side of the border, but it could also boost tourism.

Thank you to friendly Hungary for your support

the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs stressed.

With Croatia's entry into the Schengen area, controls have been lifted at 15 crossing points on the Croatian-Hungarian border and 58 on the Croatian-Slovenian border.

Cover photo: MTI/György Varga